# Components:
→ Muffin Base
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1/4 cup milk
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cheesecake Layer
10 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
11 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
12 - 1 large egg
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Apple Topping
14 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced
15 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
16 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
17 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
18 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ Crumb Topping
19 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
20 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar
21 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
22 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
→ Caramel Drizzle
23 - 1/4 cup caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on each side for easy lifting.
02 - Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, egg, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
04 - Stir wet ingredients into dry mixture just until incorporated. Evenly spread batter into prepared pan.
05 - Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until uniformly blended.
06 - Spread cheesecake mixture gently over muffin base, ensuring full coverage.
07 - Toss diced apples with light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice until apples are well coated.
08 - Evenly scatter prepared apples over cheesecake layer.
09 - Combine flour, light brown sugar, and cinnamon. Using a pastry cutter or fingertips, cut cold cubed butter into mixture until coarse crumbs form.
10 - Sprinkle crumb mixture uniformly over apple topping.
11 - Bake in preheated oven for 38 to 42 minutes, until center is set and top is golden brown. Remove and allow to cool completely in pan.
12 - Drizzle caramel sauce over cooled dessert before cutting into bars.
