2 c. white unbleached all-purpose flour
½ c. packed brown sugar
¾ c. cold butter, cubed
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
½ c. white sugar
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 medium tart apples, peeled and finely chopped
2 Tbls. white sugar
½ t. ground cinnamon
¼ t. nutmeg
¾ c. white unbleached all-purpose flour
¾ c. packed brown sugar
½ c. quick-cooking oats
1/3 c. cold butter, cubed
1/3 c. hot caramel ice cream topping (see note below)
Crust: Combine 2 c. flour and 1/2 c. brown sugar; with a pastry cutter or knife and fork, cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a well-greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.
Filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, ½ c. white sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs and mix on low speed just until combined. Spread over crust.
Apples: In a small bowl, toss apples with cinnamon, nutmeg and 2 Tbls. white sugar. Spoon over cream cheese layer.
Streusel Topping: Mix ¾ c. flour, ¾ c. brown sugar and ½ oats; with a pastry cutter or knife and fork, cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple layer.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until filling is set and streusel is browned.
Remove from oven and drizzle with caramel topping. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. refrigerate at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.