Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a 9×13 inch baking pan. Lightly grease it or line it with parchment paper so the bars come out easily and cleanly after baking.
In a bowl, mix the crust ingredients (flour, brown sugar, and softened butter) until the mixture becomes crumbly and well combined. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a solid base. Bake for about 15 minutes, just until it is lightly set and slightly golden.
While the crust is baking, prepare the cheesecake layer. Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy with no lumps. This step is important for getting a rich and silky texture. Once ready, spread it evenly over the warm crust.
In another bowl, mix the chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the apples are well coated and slightly juicy. Spoon this apple mixture evenly over the cheesecake layer, making sure it is spread out so every slice gets a good balance of fruit and cream.
Next, prepare the streusel topping by combining the brown sugar, flour, oats, and softened butter. Mix it until it becomes crumbly and slightly sticky, then sprinkle it evenly over the apple layer to create a crunchy topping.
Bake the bars for 40–45 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden and slightly crisp. The cheesecake should no longer look runny but may still have a slight soft jiggle in the center.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature. After that, refrigerate them for a few hours so they firm up properly and become easier to slice.
Before serving, drizzle with caramel sauce, then cut into neat bars and enjoy.
