Candy Apple Cheesecake Cookie Bars

By cindyandmojo

Ingredients

• 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
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 tsp vegetable oil

Details

Servings 16
Adapted from justusfourblog.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x9 square pan with parchment paper.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For the chocolate topping, add chocolate chips and vegetable oil to a bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir until smooth.
Drizzle apple syrup and chocolate over top of bars. Sprinkle with extra crushed M&Ms if desired.