Sharing my Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Cookie Bars with you today! They are perfect for Fall and Winter baking. So simple to prepare and packed with goodness!
Cookie bars are so much fun to make. Your options are endless! These bars are packed with sweet tart apples, cream cheese and caramel that make for the perfect sweet treat.
This simple little Fall dessert is gooey and “appley” delicious with warm soft caramel oozing off the sides. Hope you all enjoy!
For other delicious Picky Palate bar recipes try Fruity Pebbles Cookie Bars and Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars.
Be sure to follow Picky Palate on Instagram for sneak peeks on what’s coming next to the blog!
I used a refrigerated sugar cookie crust for this recipe, however you are free to use a homemade sugar cookie recipe if you’d like.
Tips For Softening Cream Cheese
There are many times I find that I don’t have a few hours to set out my cream cheese to soften at room temperature on it’s own. Here are some simple tips to speed up the process when you need softened cream cheese pronto 🙂
Did you know you can soften cream cheese in about 15 seconds? Unwrap your cream cheese and place it onto a microwavable plate. Microwave on high for 15 seconds. If it is not soft, you can microwave it for an additional intervals of 15-20 seconds. Mix it through; it may be a little cooler in the middle but the warmer sides may help it soften evenly and completely in just a minute or so.
Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons melted butter
- 3 Cups Golden Graham Cereal ground in food processor
- 1 Roll Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough or 2 pkgs Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Dough Mix prepared and divided into 2 equal parts
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 1/4 Cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 21 oz can apple pie filling
- 1.5 oz package Nature Valley Oats N' Honey Crunchy Granola Bars 2 count, crushed (I use a rolling pin to crush them right in the bag before opening)
- 9.5 oz Kraft Caramels
- 1/2 Cup half and half
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine melted butter and ground cereal into a large bowl; press into an 8x8 inch baking dish lined with foil that's been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes then remove from oven. Crumble half of the cookie dough over partially baked crust.
- Place cream cheese, sugar and vanilla into a mixer; beat until smooth. Pour over crumbled cookie dough layer. Bake for 25 minutes then remove from over. Top with 3/4 of the apple pie filling (I chose to just add part, but you can add the whole can if desired). Next top with remaining cookie dough, breaking off into little pieces evenly over top. Sprinkle with crushed granola bars and bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes clean from center. Let cool completely then cut into squares. Melt caramels and half and half according to package directions. Drizzle over each bar. Refrigerate leftovers.
Nutrition
Pin Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Cookie Bars
Welcome to my online kitchen! Picky Palate is where you’ll find family friendly recipes along with the best Disney eats, tips and copycat recipes! 
Wow! Those look incredible. They have so many things I love going on at once.
I don’t love caramel on it’s own, but with apples, that’s a whole other story.
These look fantastic!
Those look amazing – and I love that they have Golden Grahams in them!!
making these this weekend, thanks for the recipe!
Oh my…………….those scream fall…….and these 4 words…….
There goes the diet!!!!!
That’s OK…there’s always next week.
I can’t wait to try these, Jenny.
This looks awesome. Allrecipes has an Autumn Cheesecake recipe that rocks. I always make it around this time a yr.
This recipe remind me off that. Flavorful and screaming Fall.
Arrrrrggghhhhhhh – I want some, they look divine, I neeeed some and I live in France. I can’t get the ingredients and don’t even know what most of them are. What am I going to do???????
This is my kind of ooey gooey dessert!
There is a local food warehouse that sells something like this, and they are sooo good. Can’t wait to try out this recipe!
These look amazing-very drool worthy cheesecake! And it’s bookmarked!
Wow! You had me at the title, but your pictures are amazing! That caramel looks incredible – love everything about these! I’m soooo excited for fall. We are going apple picking next weekend – I know what I’m making! 🙂
wow those look so good!
What font did you use for the header of the caramel apple cookie bar?! It’s so cute and festive!
mmmmmmmm send those my way.
These look like they require a bit of effort–but totally worth it! I’ve always been curious as to how you get your recipes? Do you create them all yourself?!
Oh, these look ridiculously delicious! And Kraft sells caramel bits in a bag by the chocolate chips. That way you don’t have to unwrap anything.
Ha! We both posted ooey gooey things today! these look awesome!!
How creative—as always! I have some apples here that aren’t looking so good to eat fresh now when I could use them in these.
its official. i need to make these stat!
These photos are fabulous! I personally prefer to make my own sugar cookie dough. But, when there is a time crunch, this recipe would hit the spot!
Dear Zen:
I’ll try your “summer breeze”. I’m a sucker for citrus. I’m also interested in the guitar behind you, in your picture. I’m a beginning cook and starting guitar lessons. Can you give me any info? Thanks.
So mouthwatering! Really they’re gorgeous 🙂
Cheers!
Gera
Looks absolutely amazing, but I know these would not be good for my waistline. I’m tempted to make them this fall for a great treat. Maybe around Halloween.
Jenny – these look amazing! Looks like your boys had a great 1st day of school!
Oh my…I need to go work out just after looking at these. How delicious! My husband would adore these with the apple.
I need to bust out some fall treats. These look wonderful!
Killer combination! So mouthwatering! Already stumbled.
Btw I guess you need to check and clean your inbox at StumbleUpon. It gives an error message of “inbox full” when we leave a message on your stumble note.
Cheers,
Banu
Looks delish! Love the pics of your boys! 🙂
Wow those sure a decadent looking. Awesome.
Ramona
I am in Fall mode too. These are on the list for the weekend! The boys look so cute…
First of all, your boys are so cute! Secondly, that caramel is making me drool!!!
Happy Baking 🙂
-Mini Baker
These look great! Love the caramel.
Cute boys!
YUM!!! You make the most delicious-looking, ooey gooey desserts. I’m not really a fan of apple desserts, but I have to try this. It looks too good! And your boys are adorable!
Oh man oh man girl these look to die for. I would love one or four with my boring morning coffee right now.
Perfect for Fall… these look SO good!!
Your boys are precious Jenny!
SOOO luscious-looking!
These look great, Jenny! I love anything apple cinnamon. I’m the same way about Fall decorating and cooking. I’ve been stocking up on Fall decorations and candles all summer long! Can’t wait to bust them out.
These sound amazing, omg! I am making these without a doubt! I love the Golden Grahams crust, great idea!!
this looks absolutely amazing!!!