These gluten-free apple cheesecake crumble bars have all the flavour of apple crumble. They're an easy-to-eat bar on a shortbread base, layered with cheesecake and apples. Top with optional caramel sauce for a delicious dessert!
2mediumapples, (any variety),peeled, cored and finely diced
1teaspoonlemon juice
1tablespoonbrown sugar,or Monkfruit sweetener
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
¼teaspoonnutmeg
Instructions
Crust and Crumble Topping
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. Grease the other two sides of the pan with a small amount of butter or coconut oil.
In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients for the crust, stirring until well mixed. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture and set it aside to use for the crumble topping. Press the remaining mixture evenly into the baking pan, using your fingers or the base of a drinking glass. Bake for 14 - 15 minutes or until slightly puffed and golden. Cool while preparing the filling and apples.
Cheesecake Filling
Using an electric mixer, beat softened cream cheese with sugar, egg and vanilla extract until very smooth.
Spread the filling evenly over the slightly cooled crust.
Apple Layer
Finely dice the apples so that the bars will be easy to slice (and eat!) Transfer them to a bowl and toss with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Arrange them on top of the cheesecake layer.
Finally, sprinkle the reserved crumble topping over the apples. Bake at 350°F. for 40 - 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely before slicing. Drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra delicious treat!
Notes
Lining your baking pan with parchment paper makes the bars easy to remove. Leave a slight overhang on either side so you can gently lift out the whole batch, then transfer to a cutting board to slice after refrigerating.Use the base of a drinking glass to press the base firmly into the pan before baking.Remember to save one cup of the crust mixture to use for the crumble topping.If you try to slice these bars while still warm, they may be too crumbly. Chill in the refrigerator first for best results.