There’s something undeniably magical about the fusion of apples and cheesecake, especially when it sneaks its way into a Danish bar, transforming a simple treat into a decadent dessert. This was the revelation I had one autumn afternoon, surrounded by the bounty of the season’s apple harvest. Inspired by the classic comfort of apple pie and the rich, creamy allure of cheesecake, I embarked on a culinary experiment that led to the creation of Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars. This dessert is a love letter to those who cherish the warmth of cinnamon and the tart sweetness of apples, all wrapped up in a buttery, flaky pastry.
Ingredients
- (2) 8 oz packages crescent roll dough
- (2) 21 oz cans apple pie filling
- (2) 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions Apple Cheesecake Danish Bars
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure nothing sticks.
- First Layer: Unroll the first package of crescent roll dough and carefully fit it into the bottom of your greased dish, pressing to form a uniform layer.
- Cheesecake Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is perfectly smooth and creamy. This will be your secret weapon, the layer that elevates the bars from simply tasty to truly unforgettable.
- Assembly: Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the layer of crescent dough. Then, lovingly spoon both cans of apple pie filling over the cheesecake layer, spreading it out to cover every inch.
- Final Touches: Place the second crescent roll dough atop the apple layer, creating a pastry sandwich of sorts. Drizzle the melted butter over this top layer, ensuring every corner is kissed by its richness. Finally, sprinkle cinnamon evenly across the top, a nod to the traditional apple pie we all know and love.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in your preheated oven for 30-34 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cinnamon aroma is too tempting to resist.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool before cutting into them. This patience will be rewarded with clean slices that showcase the layers of your culinary masterpiece.
