Apple Blondie Cheesecake Bars

Fall is my favorite time of year and I love to bake all sorts of yummy treats! These apple blondie cheesecake bars are definitely one of my favorites. The buttery blondie crust is the perfect base for the creamy cheesecake filling. And the fresh apples add the perfect amount of sweetness with just a bit of tart to cut through the rich cheesecake filling.

These bars are so easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. I always get rave reviews whenever I make them! So if you’re looking for a delicious Fall treat, look no further than this fun spin on a fusion of blondies, apple cake, and cheesecake!

Want something more traditional? Check out these chewy white chocolate blondie bars. They are another tasty treat that is simple and easy to make.

apple brown butter blondie cheesecake bar on gray table with half apples

Ingredients

For the blondies

1 cup unsalted butter (227g)
2 cups brown sugar (400g)
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (7.5g)
1 teaspoon baking powder (5g)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2.5g)
½ teaspoon salt (3g)
2 Gala apples (or preferred variety)

For the cheesecake filling

16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (454g)
½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
1 cup heavy whipping cream (240ml)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (1g)

two slices of blondie on plate by apple and cinnamon sticks

Handy Kitchen Tools

apple blondie cheesecake with bite taken out

How to Make Apple Blondie Cheesecake Bars

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and then line a 9"x13" baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside.

In a small saucepan or skillet, add the butter over medium heat. Stir the butter while it melts, letting it cook for 2 minutes, or until it begins to foam up. Continue cooking until the foam subsides, and you will have brown butter.

b ue spatula stirring brown butter in cast iron skllet

Now, add the brown sugar to the melted butter and stir to combine. Set aside to let cool for 10 minutes.

brown butter being stirred with sugar in cast iron skillet

To this butter and sugar mixture, add the eggs, one at a time. Mix between each egg until all are combined.

eggs being added to brown butter in skillet

Then, add the vanilla extract and stir the batter again.

Now, add the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir until the mixture is just combined.

flour being poured into skillet of blondie batter

Then, fold in the apples until distributed evenly.

Apples being stirred into blondie batter in skillet

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

How to Make No-Bake Cinnamon Cheesecake

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar with a hand mixer, on high, for 2 minutes.

Add the cinnamon and vanilla extra and beat another 1 minute to combine.

In a separate large bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

whisk in bowl with cream for whipping cream

Once the cream has been whipped, transfer it into the cream cheese mixture and stir carefully with a spatula until combined, being sure to not overmix and deflate the whipped cream.

Assembling the Apple Blondie Cheesecake Bars

Let the blondies cool completely and then spread the cheesecake mixture over the top in a smooth layer.

blue spatula spreading cheesecake over top of blondie

Cover with plastic wrap and then refrigerate them for 4 hours before slicing to serve.

Dust with cinnamon, diced apples, or a drizzle of caramel syrup on top before serving.

blondie with cheesecake topping on slate by iced blondies

caramel being piped on top of apple cheesecake blondies

Serve alone or with additional syrup or apples on the side.

apple cheesecake blondie drizzled with caramel on brown plate

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Cheesecake Baked With the Blondies For Blondie Cheesecake Bars?

No. The cheesecake is not baked with the blondies for blondie cheesecake bars. The two things are made separately and then combined. Once the blondies have cooled completely, you will add the no-bake cheesecake batter on top.

While you could make this with a baked cheesecake on top, this recipe turns out better and is more consistently cooked with this method.

What Apples Are Best for Baking?

When you are baking apples, you want to make sure you are using baking apples. Some apples will get mushy when they are baked, and some apples will stay hard when they are baked. Baking apples will break down nicely but not too much. The best baking apples are Granny Smith apples. You can also use Honeycrisp apples, Gala apples or Golden Delicious apples.

Choose the apple you prefer by deciding what texture you want as well as if you want something sweet or tart in the mixture.

Do Apple Blondie Cheesecake Bars Have to Be Refrigerated?

Yes, apple blondie cheesecake bars should be stored in the refrigerator. While apple blondies can be stored at room temperature, cheesecake can not.

Once these two have been made together, they must be kept cold. Place the apple blondie cheesecake bars in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

The bars can also be stored in the freezer. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.

Can I Add Apple Spice Blend to the Blondies?

If you want a bit more of an apple-spiced flavor in your bars, then 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple spice blend is a perfect choice. I like to keep a jar on hand for recipes like this, but if you do not have it, you can add individual ingredients instead.

An apple pie spice blend is a combination of ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice. A simple recipe is 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon allspice.

white square plate on wood table holding blnodie

More Easy Bar Recipes

Brownies, blondies, and bars are one of my favorite additions to a dessert menu. They are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for sharing with others. A great potluck recipe for sure! If you like them also, then check out our recipes below. Take a moment to bookmark them, print out the recipes, or pin them to Pinterest to make soon!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12