Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars

I made these devilish little guys for an engagement party I went to the other weekend and they were a huge hit! I took the ones that didn't fit on the tray to my parents' house the next day and they were gobbled up. There were a few leftover that I was going to take home, but before I left my dad even asked me if he could keep a couple at the house so he could have them for breakfast. My dad doesn't even like sweets, but he wanted these. That tells me something.

They are a mix of apple pie, cheesecake and a crumb topping. And I'm obsessed. They're pretty easy to make and they please most crowds. Even people that don't love sweets, like my dad. Plus at the party we went to I saw the host's small son walking around with one licking off the apple topping. Now you definitely can't tell me they're not good. Hope you enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) oatmeal cookie mix
• 1/2 cup firm butter or margarine
• 2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 can (21 oz.) apple pie filling
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.

Place cookie mix in large bowl. With pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly and coarse. Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture; press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over partially baked crust. In medium bowl, mix pie filling and cinnamon. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle reserved crumbs over top. Sprinkle with walnuts.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool about 30 minutes. Refrigerate to chill, about 2 hours. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator. 

Source: Betty Crocker