These Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars are a delicious blend of flaky pastry, creamy cheesecake, sweet spiced apples, and a buttery streusel topping. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a special treat anytime, they’re as impressive as they are tasty.
🍏 Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 ½ cups |
| Unsalted butter, cold and cubed | ½ cup |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup |
| Salt | ¼ tsp |
| Ice water | ¼ cup |
For the Cheesecake Layer:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 oz |
| Granulated sugar | ½ cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
For the Apple Filling:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Apples, peeled and diced | 2 cups |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup |
| Ground cinnamon | ½ tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | ¼ tsp |
| 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: Prepare the Pastry
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough comes together. Shape into a rectangle, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Layer
Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, egg, and vanilla, beating until creamy and well combined.
Step 3: Cook the Apple Filling
In a saucepan, combine the diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water. Cook over medium heat until the apples are tender and the mixture thickens slightly. Allow to 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 pastry to fit slightly larger than the pan and press evenly into the pan.
Step 5: Layer the Ingredients
Spread the cheesecake mixture over the pastry. Spoon the cooled apple filling on top of the cheesecake layer.
Step 6: Add the Streusel Topping
Combine flour, sugar, and cold butter for the streusel. Crumble evenly over the apple layer.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Allow the bars to cool in the pan. Refrigerate until fully chilled. Cut into squares or bars and enjoy!
