you're the apple of my eye

I have been loving APPLES since my parents started introducing fruits to my meals. Obviously, it's so long ago.

Do you ever find it hard baking an Apple Pie to perfection? This recipe just tastes like one. It's CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE BARS with STREUSEL TOPPING. It's very easy to make, I promise.

I have NOTHING much to say but this mouth-watering dessert is VERY SIMPLE yet AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS. :)

Nice-to-know:
Apple is a good antioxidant.

Hence, they say..."An apple a day keeps the doctor away".

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 large apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Streusel topping, recipe follows
• 1/2 cup caramel topping

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 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. Drizzle with caramel 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.

I gave him a piece. He got happy!

“Good dessert is a considerable part of our domestic happiness.” -Jane Austen