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I still remember the first time I made these gluten-free apple cheesecake bars. It was for a family potluck, and I was nervous because, let’s be real, gluten-free desserts can sometimes be hit or miss. But when I saw my picky cousin go back for seconds—and thirds—I knew I had a winner.
These bars are the perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and spiced apple goodness, and the best part? No one even realizes they’re gluten-free.
Tips
- Apples: Use fresh, locally sourced apples for the best flavor. Granny Smith adds tang, while Honeycrisp adds natural sweetness.
- Substitutions: Swap cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese for a dairy-free version. For a nutty twist, add a handful of chopped pecans to the streusel topping.
- Serving: Cut into squares and serve chilled. Add a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel for extra decadence.
Creamy Gluten-Free Apple Cheesecake Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Creamy cheesecake, spiced apples, and a buttery streusel come together in these irresistible gluten-free dessert bars.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free graham cracker crumbs
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Apple Topping:
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Streusel Topping:
- ½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup gluten-free flour
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Make the Crust:
- Mix the gluten-free graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar in a bowl.
- Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Cheesecake Layer:
- Beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar in a bowl until smooth.
- Add eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Pour over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
- Apple Topping:
- Toss the diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, gluten-free flour, and lemon juice. Spread evenly over the cheesecake layer.
- Streusel Topping:
- Combine oats, gluten-free flour, brown sugar, and cubed butter in a bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to create a crumbly mixture.
- Sprinkle over the apple layer.
- Bake:
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheesecake layer is set. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is better).
Notes
Chill for at least 2 hours for best results. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
