Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping

INGREDIENTS

APPLES:

 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped

 2 tablespoons sugar

 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

STREUSEL TOPPING:

 1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light brown sugar

 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour

 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

 1/2 cup (1.75 ounces) quick cooking oats

 1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) butter, softened

SHORTBREAD BASE:

 2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour

 1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) packed brown sugar

 1/4 teaspoon salt

 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

 1 cup (2 sticks, 8 ounces) butter, softened

CREAM CHEESE LAYER:

 2 (8 ounces each) packages cream cheese, softened

 1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) sugar

 2 large eggs

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CARAMEL SAUCE:

 4 tablespoons butter

 1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light brown sugar

 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

 Pinch of salt

 1 tablespoon vanilla (can cut down to 1 teaspoon for less vanilla flavor)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with foil (helps with cleanup but isn't necessary). Lightly grease the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. For the apples, in a small bowl, stir together the chopped apples, two tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. For the streusel, in a medium bowl, combine all the streusel topping ingredients and mix with a pastry blender or two forks (or your fingers) until crumbly. Set aside.
4. For the shortbread base, in a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly but evenly and well combined. Press the crust evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until very lightly browned around the edges.
5. For the cream cheese layer, while the crust is baking, in a large bowl with an electric handheld mixer (or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the cream cheese with the 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time and then the vanilla. Mix until evenly combined, scraping down the edges of the bowl as needed. Pour over the warm crust.
6. Give the apple mixture a good stir and spoon over the cheesecake layer. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the apples. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the filling is set.
7. For the caramel sauce, add the butter, brown sugar, cream, and salt to a saucepan and set over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook while stirring gently for 5-7 minutes, until thickened slightly. Add the vanilla and cook another minute to thicken further. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. If the caramel sauce has been refrigerated, warm slightly to pour over the bars.
8. Cool the bars to room temperature. Drizzle with the caramel topping (or plate individual slices and drizzle with topping one by one).

PREP TIME 1 HOUR  

COOK TIME 50 MINUTES  

TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR 50 MINUTES

YIELD: 9X13-INCH PAN

HTTPS://WWW.MELSKITCHENCAFE.COM/CARAMEL-APPLE-CHEESECAKE-BARS-WITH-STREUSEL-TOPPING/

Charcuterie Board

Cheese: 2 oz per person (4 oz per person if this is the only food item)

• Soft Cheese (2-3 types): Brie, Camembert, Cambozola, Burrata, Blue, Fontina, Goat
• Semi Hard (2-3 types): Gouda, White Cheddar, Manchego, Gruyere, Caramelized Onion Cheddar*
• Spreadable Cheese (1): Boursin Garlic Cheese*
• 8 oz Mini Mozzarella Cheese Balls*

Our favorite cheeses: Port Salut (Smith’s), Merlot Bellavitano (Smith’s) and Caramelized Onion (Trader Joe’s)

Meats: 1-2 oz per person (2-4 oz per person if this is the only food item)

• Prosciutto (Combo pack*)
• Gor Pepperoni
• Calabrese 
• Salami

Fruits:

• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Apple
• Pear
• Figs (Dried?)
• Clementines
• Dried Apricots*
• Dried Prunes
• Dark Cherries

Other:

• One Large Board or Flat Platter or Cookie Sheet
• Assorted Crackers*
• Baguette
• Honey
• Jam or Fruit Spread
• Green Olives
• Trail mix - Almond Cashew Chocolate Mix*

*Get at Trader Joe's

Instructions:

1. Gather board, small bowls, appetizer forks, spreaders, cheese knifes.
2. Clean the board or surface and dry thoroughly.
3. Wash and gently pat dry any fruits being used.
4. Unwrap the cheese and meats being used.
5. Slice any cheese and meats that need to be sliced
1. Use some parchment paper or wax paper to protect your board from any grease from the meat or cheeses.
6. Start at the center of the board and arrange items on the board. Try to set contrasting colors and shapes together to create a more visual interest.
7. Have the board ready about 30 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to soften to make easier for spreading.

Maple Blueberry Pecan Salad

Dressing:

1/3 C Pure Maple Syrup
1/3 C Rice Vinegar
1 C Sugar (Next time try 3/4 cup, 1 cup seems to be too much)
1 Package Dry Italian Dressing Mix

Blend together then slowly add:
1/2 C Light Olive Oil

Note: Cut the Dressing in half if serving a small group. The full amount makes 1 1/2-2 cups.

Salad:

Romain Lettuce
Feta Cheese
Diced Gala Apples
Blueberries
Cinnamon Sugared Pecans

Cinnamon Sugared Pecans:
1/3 C Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 C Pecans (chopped or broke in half)

Place add ingredients into a frying pan over medium heat.  Stir until sugar melts and coats the nuts well, but remove from heat as quickly as possible.  Spread on wax paper or non-stick pan.  Let cool then break apart before adding to salad.

Cheesey Fondue

Ingredients:

·       2 cups lightly packed shredded Gruyere cheese (about 8 ounces)

·       1 1/2 cups lightly packed shredded Swiss cheese (about 6 ounces)

·       2 tablespoons cornstarch

·       1 cup low-sodium, good-quality chicken broth

·       1/8 teaspoon lemon juice (don't leave this out! I just gave a quick squeeze of a lemon without properly measuring)

·       1 tablespoon finely minced or pressed garlic

·       1/4 teaspoon ground black or white pepper

·       1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

·       Dash of paprika

Instructions

1.       Place both the shredded Gruyere and Swiss cheeses in a gallon-size resealable bag with the cornstarch and shake until evenly coated.

2.       In a stovetop-safe fondue pot (or in a regular saucepan or electric fondue pot), add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and garlic and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the cheese, a small handful at a time, stirring constantly, but not briskly. It works best to use a wooden spoon and and stir in an S-shaped motion, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot so it doesn't burn.

3.       Once the cheese is melted and begins to just barely simmer, add the remaining spices and move it immediately to the table on the fondue stand with the sterno flame below. It should be the consistency of warm honey. Add more or less cheese for perfect consistency and additional salt and pepper to taste if needed.

4.       Serve with your favorite fondue dippers: steamed broccoli and/or cauliflower, carrots, apples, chicken sausages, bread (and more bread!), lightly sauteed mushrooms, tender potatoes - the options are endless!

Notes

Don't use pre-shredded cheese. It has a very different consistency than what you grate yourself - worth the tiny bit of extra work, I promise!

Yield: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

From: Mel’s Kitchen Café  https://www.melskitchencafe.com/classic-fondue-recipe/

Green Juice

- ½ Medium Cucumber 

- 1 Medium Apple 

- 1 Small handful of Baby Spinach 

- Water 

- Ice 

Add everything into a blender and blender until smooth.  Enjoy!

Green Fruit Salad

Romaine Lettuce
Apples
Bacon Bits
Avocado
Strawberries
Croutons
Candy Almonds
Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing

Assemble:
1. Candy sliced almonds in a skillet with brown sugar.  You can add vanilla and cinnamon for more flavor.  After the almonds have cooled break into bite size pieces.
2.Shred the lettuce.
3. Cut the apples, avocado and strawberries into bite size pieces.
4. Place lettuce in a bowl and put all the toppings on top.  Do not toss the salad otherwise all the toppings will end up in the bottom of the bowl.
5. You can use any dressing that you would like but we prefer to use Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing.

Cheese Fondue

Tips:

   1. Make sure everything is prepped before you turn the stove on.  

   2. Don't try and make the fondue in the pot. Do it on the stove first and transfer to the fondue pot after it's prepared.

   3. Do not leave the cheese unattended after you've started - it will either clump, scorch or curdle if you walk away - don't know why, but it always. 

Ingredients:

2 lbs. Grated Cheese (I prefer White Cheddar).

4 Cups Melting Liquid (This can be sparkling cider, or beverage of your choice that starts with a "B" and ends with an "R".)

4 Tbsp. Corn Starch

Hot Sauce to Taste

Garlic Powder to Taste

Directions:

1. Heat the melting liquid over a medium high flame. 

2. Take half of the cheese and toss in a separate bowl with the corn starch. (Keep the rest of the cheese in reserve.) 

3. When the melting liquid is simmering, add the cheese that has been tossed with the corn starch.  

4. Stirring until it has melted and been incorporated.  

5. Add in the rest of the cheese and the hot sauce and garlic powder to your taste preferences.  

6. Never add more cheese until the previous addition has been melted and incorporated.  Bring up to a melting point.  

7. Transfer to a fondue pot over a flame to keep warm. 

8. Stir the pot as necessary to prevent scorching. 

Serves 4 people

Serve with:

Bread

Veggies (Broccoli, Carrots)

Granny Smith Apples

Pretzels 

Tortilla Chips 

Apple Sauce

-Wash, remove blemishes, core and cut apples into ¼ pieces.
-Cook apples until tender.
-Press through food mill or sieve.
-Add approx. ¼ c. lemon juice for every 1-2 quarts of sauce.
-Add 2 c. water for every 5 lbs. of apples.
-Add sugar to taste.  Stir in well.
-Pour into jars.  Wipe off jar rim.  Boil flats then place flats and rings on jars. 
-Process – Steam or hot water bath – pints – 15 min., quarts – 20 min.

Apple Pie Filling

4 ½ c. Sugar                        
¼ tsp. Allspice
1 c. Cornstarch                  
1 tsp. Salt
2 tsp.  Cinnamon              
3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
¼ tsp. Ground Nutmeg  
2-3 drops yellow food coloring (opt.)
¼ tsp. Ground Cloves      
5 ½ - 6 lbs. Apples, Peeled, Cored, and Sliced

In a large saucepan blend the first 7 ingredients.  Stir in 10 c. water.  Cook and stir until thickened.  Add lemon juice and food coloring.  After apples are sliced put them in a bowl of 2 c. water and 2 c. lemon juice to prevent apples from going brown.  Pack apples into quart jars leaving ½ - 1 inch head space.  Fill with hot syrup.  Use spatula or knife to help distribute the syrup.  Wipe off jar rim.  Boil flats then place flats and rings on jars.  Process – Steam or hot water bath - Quarts – 20 minutes.  Yield approx. 6 qts.



Pie – Prepare 2 crust pastry 8 or 9 inch.  Line pie plate with pastry.  Add 1 quart of apple pie filling.  Adjust top crust, cut slits, and seal.  Bake at 400 degrees for 50 min.

Apple Crisp – Empty 1 quart of pie filling into 8x8 dish. 

Mix 2/3 c. Packed Brown Sugar
½ c. Flour
½ c. Rolled Oats
¾ tsp. Cinnamon
¾ tsp. Nutmeg
1/3 c. Softened Butter. 

Sprinkle over pie filling.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 min.  Top with ice cream.

Candy Apples

 
Items Needed:

• Granny Smith Apples
• Caramel Apple wraps
• Almond Bark Chocolate: Milk Chocolate & White
• Crushed Candy: Butterfingers, Snickers, Heath
• Other Toppings: Graham Cracker Crumbs, Oreo (any flavor), Crushed Pretzels, Mini Chocolate Chips, Crushed Shortbread Cookies

Directions:

1. Wash Apples and pull out stem.  
2. Follow the directions on the back of the Caramel Apple Wraps.  
3. Allow Caramel to cool then dip in melted chocolate.  
4. Before the chocolate hardens add crushed candy or other toppings.  
5. Allow chocolate to harden, cut and enjoy!

Simple Favorite Combinations:

Caramel + Milk Chocolate + Butterfingers + White Chocolate Drizzle
Caramel + Milk Chocolate + Snickers + White Chocolate Drizzle
Caramel + White Chocolate + Oreo + Milk Chocolate Drizzle
Caramel + White Chocolate + Cinnamon Sugar + Milk Chocolate Drizzle

*Can substitute milk chocolate for semisweet chocolate.

Fancy Flavor Combos:

Apple Pie: Caramel + White Chocolate + Graham Cracker Crumbs (mixed with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon).

Salted Caramel Pretzel: Caramel + White or Milk Chocolate + Crushed Pretzels + Mini Chocolate Chips or Toffee Bits + Chocolate Drizzle

Twix: Caramel + Milk Chocolate + Crushed Shortbread Cookies + Chocolate Drizzles