Apple Cheesecake Crumble Bars - Gluten Free

🛒 Ingredients

You'll find a complete list of ingredients with amounts in the recipe card below. Here are a few notes.

apples: you can use any variety. Using a tart apple like a Granny Smith will give that sweet and tart contrast we love. I use a sweet Gala variety so that I can use a minimal amount of sweetener.

almond flour: use finely ground almond flour, usually available in the baking section of your supermarket, or at Costco.

oat flour: grind rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats, in a blender to make oat flour.

cream cheese: use the brick style, not the spreadable variety.

sweetener: you can use sugar or Monkfruit 0-calorie sweetener in this recipe.

🔪 Instructions

The recipe card below contains detailed instructions and tips. Here's a quick overview of what you'll do to make these gluten-free apple cheesecake crumble bars.

1. Start by combining the dry ingredients to make the base or crust.
2. Press firmly into a lined pan, remembering to reserve one cup of the mixture to use as the crumble topping. Bake the crust.
3. Meanwhile, use an electric mixer to combine the cheesecake filling. Make sure to use softened cream cheese to avoid a lumpy filling!
4. Spread the cheesecake filling over the slightly cooled crust.
5. Finely dice the apples, then toss with lemon juice, sweetener and spices.
6. Spread the apple filling over the cheesecake layer.
7. Sprinkle the remaining cup of the crust mixture over top to form the crumble topping. Bake until topping is golden brown. Chill before slicing into bars.
8. Drizzle with caramel sauce for a delicious dessert--certainly optional, but good!

👍🏼 Elaine's Tips

• Be sure to line the pan and grease the sides to allow for easy removal.
• Remember to bring the cream cheese to room temperature to avoid a lumpy cheesecake filling. An easy way to speed up this process is to remove it from its packaging, cut it into cubes, spread it on a plate and let it sit for 20 minutes or so. For other methods, check this post, How to quickly bring cream cheese to room temperature.
• Use the base of a drinking glass to press the base firmly into the pan before baking. Remember to save one cup of the crust mixture to use for the crumble topping.
• If you try to slice these bars while still warm, they may be too crumbly. Chill in the refrigerator first for best results.
• Adding caramel sauce is optional, but very good! The bars are still delicious without it. If you are going to use it, add it just before serving to prevent the bars from becoming soggy.

🥶Storage and Freezing Instructions

Store these apple crumble bars in the fridge for a day or two. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container for up to three months.

🗒 More gluten-free dessert recipes