Let’s talk fall. It is 90 degrees here today but earlier in the week I could start to feel a slight crisp in the air. Of course, that got me dreaming of apples, pumpkin and all the other things that come with fall. My absolute favorite things in the world are cookies and cheesecake {well, foods…drinks would of course be lattes and wine}! What better way to celebrate fall than to combine them and make candy apple cheesecake cookie bars.

Ok, so I know the title is a mouthful but I promise you that, once you make these, you will want your mouth FULL of them. They are so good and make you think you are eating a fall day…well, if that was possible. First, hit up your local Walmart to grab some Candy Apple M&Ms. They are the key to this recipe. I found mine in the middle section of our store so be on the look out.

What You’ll Need: 

Cookie Layer:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup applesauce
2 Tbsp yogurt
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup crushed animal crackers
1 cup Candy Apple M&Ms, crushed
1 cup Plain M&Ms, crushed

Cheesecake Layer:
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
2 Tbsp flour

Apple Syrup Topping:
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/4 cup applejuice

Chocolate Drizzle:
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 tsp vegetable oil

Let’s Make It:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×9 square pan with parchment paper.

2) For the cookie layer, beat 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup brown sugar together. Add applesauce and yogurt and mix well. Add in vanilla and eggs. In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients. Slowly incorporate into the wet ingredients. Fold in M&Ms. Add 1/2 of dough to prepared pan.

3) For the cheesecake layer, beat the cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar. Add egg and mix well. Add in caramel topping. Stir in flour. Pour on top of cookie layer in pan.

4) Drop remaining cookie dough randomly on top of cheesecake layer. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes or until set. Let cool completely and refrigerate for 1 hour.

5) For the apple syrup, whisk together the apple juice and cornstarch. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and them simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened.

6) For the chocolate topping, add chocolate chips and vegetable oil to a bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir until smooth.

7) Drizzle apple syrup and chocolate over top of bars. Sprinkle with extra crushed M&Ms if desired.

I definitely stocked up on candy apple M&Ms so I can make these over and over this fall. If you want more ideas on how to use the new fall flavors of M&Ms, search #FlavorofFall and #CollectiveBias

Also, before you shop, be sure to grab these coupons

– $1.00 off any two (2) Mott’s Applesauce or Apple Juice products
– $1.50 off any two (2) M&M’s brand chocolate candies

Candy Apple Cheesecake Cookie Bars

2014-09-11 21:33:48

Serves 16

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Cookie Layer

1. 1/2 cup butter
2. 1/2 cup applesauce
3. 2 Tbsp yogurt
4. 1/2 cup sugar
5. 1 cup brown sugar
6. 2 eggs
7. 1 tsp vanilla
8. 1/2 tsp baking soda
9. 2 1/4 cup flour
10. 1/2 cup crushed animal crackers
11. 1 cup Candy Apple M&Ms, crushed
12. 1 cup Plain M&Ms, crushed

Cheesecake Layer

1. 8 oz cream cheese
2. 1/2 cup sugar
3. 1 egg
4. 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
5. 2 Tbsp flour

Apple Syrup Topping

1. 1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
2. 1 1/4 cup apple juice

Chocolate Drizzle

1. 1/4 cup chocolate chips
2. 1/2 tsp vegetable oil

Let's Make It

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x9 square pan with parchment paper.
2. For the cookie layer, beat 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup brown sugar together. Add applesauce and yogurt and mix well. Add in vanilla and eggs. In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients. Slowly incorporate into the wet ingredients. Fold in M&Ms. Add 1/2 of dough to prepared pan.
3. For the cheesecake layer, beat the cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar. Add egg and mix well. Add in caramel topping. Stir in flour. Pour on top of cookie layer in pan.
4. Drop remaining cookie dough randomly on top of cheesecake layer. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes or until set. Let cool completely and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. For the apple syrup, whisk together the apple juice and cornstarch. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and them simmer for 5 minutes or until thickened.
6. For the chocolate topping, add chocolate chips and vegetable oil to a bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir until smooth.
7. Drizzle apple syrup and chocolate over top of bars. Sprinkle with extra crushed M&Ms if desired.

By Shannah @ Just Us Four

My Suburban Kitchen https://www.mysuburbankitchen.com/