party leftovers - take 2

I thought I had posted about everything I made for the anniversary party...until I realized that I still had some of the cheesecake bars leftover. This recipe came from Janet who got her recipe from Paula. Usually I am not a fan of Paula Deen's recipes but this one looked too good to pass up. It combines 2 of my favorite desserts: cheesecake and apple crumble.

The recipe is super easy and made with everyday ingredients. The crust is not your typical graham cracker crust but rather more like a buttery flaky cookie.

I garnished mine with dulce de leche but you could use any store bought caramel sauce to simplify it. Actually, you don't even need the sauce; but it does add a nice touch.

Paula Deen’s Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Streusel topping

Streusel Topping:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13x9-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.
2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm crust.
3. In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel Topping. Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set.