You probably can’t tell from all of the pumpkin and apple baked goods recently, but one of my favorite fall flavors is actually maple. I like it in my coffee, I like it in my breakfast breads, and I definitely like it in my desserts.
When I realized the lack of maple recipes on the blog a while ago, I knew that had to change.
Maple is too good to be overlooked! So, when I was putting together the recipe for these apple cheesecake crumble bars, I knew that maple would be the perfect addition. It was.
Maple cheesecake is sandwiched between two thick layers of buttery, oat crumble. The maple flavor is just strong enough to not be overpowered by the oats without being too strong.
Thinly sliced fall apples are layered on the top and bottom of the cheesecake to add a bit of tartness to the bars.
And of course, I had to add in a little more maple by drizzling a sweet maple glaze over the top to tie all of the components together.
After one bite of these rich apple-maple cheesecake crumble bars, I realized how much I had been missing out on the last month with not adding maple to more of my baked goods!
- 1½ C all-purpose flour
- ¾ C quick oats
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ¾ C brown sugar
- ½ C butter, softened
- 8 oz ⅓ of the fat cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ C sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp maple extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp allspice
- 1½ C thinly sliced apples, about 1 large or 2 small apples
- ¼ C confectioner's sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp maple extract
- ½ tsp milk
- Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a bowl, stir together sliced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, salt, and sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press half of mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 7 minutes.
- While crust is baking, beat together cream cheese and sugar. Add in egg, extracts, and salt. Beat until smooth.
- Spread half of apples over the top of the crust. Pour cream cheese mixture over the top. Top with remaining apples slices. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over apples.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until filling is set.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.
- Stir together ingredients for glaze and drizzle over bars right before serving.
Cinnamon Maple Muffins
Maple-Cinnamon Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Maple Glazed Cinnamon French Toast Donuts
Cinnamon-Maple Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Cinnamon French Toast Latte
Mmm I love the textures in this dessert! Beautiful!
Oh My.. these look so good.. especially with that drizzle on top..
I pretty much always love desserts with a crumble. Crumbles are the literal best. But crumble + maple.. sign me up for one of these! Yum!
You’re right, maple does get overlooked! Pumpkin gets all the attention. These bars look SO good! I might just have to make them this weekend. I love crunchy crumbly bars. Yum!
And thanks for the comment on my blog. Now I’ve found your blog and I love it! Added you to my reader. Can’t wait to see what you make next.
Nice to meet you Jessica!
I TOTALLY agree that maple deserves more love than it gets, and these bars look like the perfect way to give it the spotlight. And that crumb topping??? swooooon
This is the jackpot of fall desserts! Absolutely sinful and scrumptious. Love those cozy autumn flavors!
Holy moly Jessica! These bars! I love maple too – a lot. Yet somehow it always gets pushed to the side for apple and pumpkin with all my baking. Which is something I really need to change!
Oh how I wish I could dive right into these bars! Crumble topping is one of my favorites in baked goods, throw it ob top of cheesecake and apples and you’ve got plain brilliance here! 😀
Maple is an awesome flavor, especially during the Fall!
I wish I had this seriously right now!! I love maple and I don’t know why it’s overlooked in the fall when it makes everything amazing. Love these bars 🙂
Oooh I’m a sucker for maple too! Love this combo with apples!
Hi Jessica! Wow, you have some awesome flavors going on here! Sorry I haven’t been by your blog in a while- we’re finally settled in a new city and I’m back to reading food blogs. These bars look fabulous. Keep doin’ what you’re doin’, girl!
What a fantastic idea for a combination of flavors and textures. Those pictures just look divine – wishing I had some of this for breakfast at my house!
I love using maple syrup in my fall baking. This recipe looks delicious – especially with the cheesecake layer! Yum!
I don’t do enough with maple either! And it’s such a shame. I have a maple dessert planned for this week and after that…I see these bars in my future!
I dont think there is ANYTHING that says fall like apples and maple. I’m gonna have to try this out.. Maybe this weekend!
I’ve noticed I have quite a few maple recipes…I’m with you it’s really one of the best flavors! This cheesecake has all the best of fall flavors!
ohh these sound so fun! seriously girl, when are you coming out with a desserts cookbook!?
Oh my, yes please!! It has everything I love!
Wow do these bars look incredible! They have all of the important elements for a fantastic bar: great filling, crumble topping and sweet glaze! YUM!
These look amazing! I love maple and apple! So delicious!
i love these flavors together!! maple is so underrated but it is delicious!
Yum! These sound amazing. I love cheesecake bars!
Love these ooey gooey bars.
Holly smokes. These look sensational. I am pinning them to make soon/ I love the combination of flavors in this 🙂
These would not last more than a few moments at my house!! Yummers!!
These bars would just disappear at my house Jessica! They look amazing! Pinned!