Dutch Apple Cheesecake Pie Bars

Ingredients

• graham cracker crust
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• graham cracker crust mix from box
• 2- 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened (cheesecake)
• cheesecake filling mix from box (cheesecake)
• 2 eggs, room temperature (cheesecake)
• 3 medium or 4 small granny smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped into small pieces (apple layer)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (apple layer)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (apple layer)
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (apple layer)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (topping)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (topping)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (topping)
• 1/3 cup oats (topping)
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon (topping)
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (topping)
• 1/4 tsp salt (topping)
• 1/2 cup pecan halves (topping)
• 6 tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces (topping)
• caramel sauce (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Lightly grease a 9-inch square pan. Line with parchment paper(optional).
3. Graham Cracker Crust. Combine the melted butter and crust mix in a small bowl and stir ununtil uniform. Press the crumbs into the bottom of the prepared pan forming an even layer.
4. Bake for 14 minutes. Remove from oven when done.
5. Cheesecake Layer. Beat cream cheese and filling mix until smooth. Add eggs, one a time, mixing until combined. Scrape down mixing bowl as needed. Pour the cheesecake over the hot crust.
6. Apple Pie Layer. Toss chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium size bowl. Make sure apples are thoroughly coated. Evenly spoon the apples on top of the cheesecake layer.
7. Streusel Topping. Add all of the streusel ingredients into a food processor and pulse until the largest pieces are the size of a pea or smaller
8. Carefully spread the streusel layer over the top of the apples making sure it gets in and around the apple pie layer.
9. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until topping is golden brown and only the center of the pan wiggles when it is gently shaken.
10. Let bars cool at room temperature for one hour. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3 hours (or overnight) before cutting squares and serving. Top with caramel sauce if desired.