Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars
These Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars bring together everything you love about a bakery-style treat: a flaky pastry base, a smooth and creamy cheesecake layer, warmly spiced apples, and a buttery streusel topping. Perfect for holidays, gatherings, or an indulgent everyday dessert, they strike a delicious balance of textures and flavors.
Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars
Ingredients
For the Pastry Base
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1½ cups |
| Unsalted butter, cold and cubed | ½ cup |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup |
| Salt | ¼ teaspoon |
| Ice water | ¼ cup |
For the Cheesecake Layer
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 ounces |
| Granulated sugar | ½ cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
For the Apple Filling
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Apples, peeled and diced | 2 cups |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup |
| Ground cinnamon | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground nutmeg | ¼ teaspoon |
| Water | ¼ cup |
For the Streusel Topping
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | ½ cup |
| Granulated sugar | ½ cup |
| Unsalted butter, cold and cubed | ¼ cup |
How to Make Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars
Step 1: Make the Pastry
In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, mixing just until the dough comes together. Shape into a rectangle, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Cheesecake Layer
Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla, and continue mixing until creamy and well combined.
Step 3: Cook the Apple Filling
In a saucepan, combine the apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water. Cook over medium heat until the apples are tender and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.
Step 4: Assemble the Bars
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Roll out the chilled dough slightly larger than the pan and press it evenly into the bottom.
Step 5: Layer the Filling
Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the pastry base. Spoon the cooled apple filling over the cheesecake layer.
Step 6: Add the Streusel
In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and butter for the streusel topping. Crumble evenly over the apple layer.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
Step 8: Cool & Serve
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate until fully chilled. Slice into squares or bars and serve.
