Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars Recipe
This recipe combines the flaky goodness of Danish pastry with the creamy richness of cheesecake and the sweet tartness of apples.
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Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars
Ingredients:
| Pastry | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 1/2 cups |
| Unsalted butter, cold and cubed | 1/2 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Ice water | 1/4 cup |
| Cheesecake Layer | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 ounces |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Apple Filling | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Apples, peeled and diced (e.g., Granny Smith) | 2 cups |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Ground cinnamon | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Water | 1/4 cup |
| Streusel Topping | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1/2 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Unsalted butter, cold and cubed | 1/4 cup |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Pastry:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cubed butter, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Shape into a rectangle, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
-
Prepare the Cheesecake Layer:
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy and combined.
-
Prepare the Apple Filling:
- In a saucepan, combine diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and water.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft and the mixture thickens.
- Cool completely.
-
Assemble the Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Roll out chilled pastry on a floured surface into a rectangle slightly larger than the pan.
- Place pastry in the prepared pan, pressing it down evenly.
- Spread the cheesecake layer over the pastry.
- Spoon the cooled apple filling over the cheesecake layer.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, and butter for the streusel. Cut in the butter until crumbly.
- Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apple layer.
-
Bake and Serve:
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
- Cool in the pan, then refrigerate until chilled.
- Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into squares or bars.
- Serve and enjoy!
