These Caramel Milky Way Cheesecake Bars almost didn't make it here. But the drizzles of chocolate and caramel convinced me to share.
Do you ever have one of those days? Just kind of an off kind of a day where you have no idea what you did all day.
That was my yesterday. I honestly only did about 2 hours of email catching up and surfing, and then I went for a run.
But what happened to the other 3 hours of my childless day because I'm really not sure where it went.
Part of the day was fighting with caramel and cheesecake cookie bars, and trying to take pictures without it looking like a hot mess.
I am a huge procrastinator. I like to think that I work better under pressure. One of these days, that is going to bite me in the butt!
Apple week has been planned for weeks...you would think I would have everything done. Oh no!
On Wednesday, I finally made my last recipe that's due Friday. NO PRESSURE!!!! Only I started it a little late, and it was coming out of the oven when I had to be at the school picking up the kids.
Slight problem! No biggie though. My husband was next door at the church, so I called and asked if he could come home for a bit. I reassured him that all he had to do was remove the pan from the oven.
So, then on Thursday all I had to do was cut them into bars and drizzle some happiness.
Oh, and take pictures, edit, write, post, create a hop button. Days like this should seriously cure me from waiting to the last minute because it's always crazy!!!
As I was trying to cut the bars into presentable looking squares, I forgot about the caramel that was melting on the stove.
Fortunately, I caught it before it was ruined because that would not have been good. It just didn't drizzle quite as neatly! Would you like some caramel chunks with your cheesecake?
Oh and I don't recommend licking the spoon covered in hot caramel. Just trust me on that one!
The stress in the kitchen was crazy high. I really was worried about this not working out, until...I ate one of the extra side pieces.
These creamy Caramel Milky Way Cheesecake Bars mixed with cookies, candy bars, and caramel will send you to your happy place.
Caramel Milky Way Cheesecake Bars
These Caramel Milky Way Cheesecake Bars are loaded with candy bars and are topped with caramel and chocolate. It's the best dessert to end the night with!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Layer
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup shortening
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 cups chopped Milky Way candy bars (I used the Caramel Apple ones)
For the Cheesecake Layer
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup caramel ice cream topping
- 2 Tablespoons flour
For the Topping
- 4 ounces caramel candies (about 14 squares)
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- 1Tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 pan with foil. Spray it with nonstick spray.
- Cream the butter, shortening, and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs and vanilla.
- Sift together the flour, crumbs, baking soda, and salt and slowly add to the butter mixture.
- Stir in the candies by hand. Press half the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add the egg, caramel, and flour and beat again. Pour the cheesecake mixture on top of the cookie dough in the pan.
- Crumble the rest of the cookie dough gently on top of the cheesecake.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes. Let cool on the counter for 1-2 hours. Refrigerate 4-6 hours.
- Place the caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan. Heat and stir until melted and creamy. Let cool slightly. Drizzle over the top of the cooled bars.
- In a small microwave safe bowl, place the chocolate chips and heavy cream. Heat for 20 seconds. Stir and repeat until melted and smooth.
- Place in a bag and cut one corner off. Drizzle over the cookie bars. Let set. Cut into 16 squares. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes
*The Caramel Apple Milky Ways are a seasonal candy, so feel free to use regular Milky Ways instead.
**You can also bake this in a 9x13 pan by decreasing the bake time to 30 minutes.
Now it is time for one more HOP... to check out what everyone is showing off today!
Shugary Sweets - Apple Pie Fudge
Shaken Together - Apple Pie Cheesecake Gingersnap Trifles
Sally’s Baking Addiction - Apple Spice Cupcakes
Crumbs and Chaos - Caramel Apple Cinna-minis
Chocolate, Chocolate and More - Apple Danishes
Bakeaholic Mama - Caramel Apple Spice Cupcakes
A Pumpkin and A Princess - Caramel Apple Cheesecakes
Bake your Day - Cinnamon Streusel Apple Pizza
Jam Hands - Apple & Cream Cheese Bundt Cake
Six Sisters Stuff - Apple Walnut Pullapart Bread
Averie Cooks - Spiced Apple and Banana Bundt Cake
Thank you to all the girls for participating...
and thank you for reading all about our apple obsessions every day!
Another quick look at the apple goodies I shared this week:
Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfaits
Toffee Apple Pie Cookies
Caramel Apple Granola Bars
Apple Cider Whoopie Pies with Red Hot Frosting
Jana Leanhart
Do think I could double the recipe to make a 9 x 13 pan?
Jocelyn
You can actually just bake the single batch in a 9x13 pan as well. There is a note at the bottom of the recipe about it. I hope you enjoy them!
Mary
Could these be made ahead of time and frozen?
Jocelyn
I don't see why not! I would wait to add the extra caramel and chocolate drizzles until after you thaw them out though!
Julie
Love these so delicious ????
Natalie
OK, I can't believe I just discovered your blog! These look incredible and everything you make is simply delicious ♥
Cindie Oliver
these look so good unfortuately ur site isn't print friendly
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Cindie. It might be the browser you are using, because I do have a print option on each recipe. If you scroll down to the recipe box, there is a print button. When you click that it opens a printable recipe sheet. I hope that helps.
Laurie Smallwood
Love it I did Apple & Sipice pork chops delish.
Lynn
Your picture and recipe have been copied and pasted by a lady on FB and used as her own with no credit or link back to your or your website.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3040062458481&set=o.227407774069125&type=3&theater
Rachel
I think this recipe needs to be baked in a 9x13 pan. It was way too gooey and not done in the middle after 50 min.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I did bake this one in the 8 inch pan. Cheesecake will always look gooey and not done when it comes out of the oven. It needs to be refrigerated for a few hours for it to set up completely! You can bake it in a 9x13 pan by decreasing the bake time to 30 minutes if you like.
deedee
This was my question exactly: if its is to be baked in a 8" pan, then how is it possible to stretch into a 9 x 13 pan, without changing measuring amounts of ingredients? That confused me so I put off preparing them yesterday--but I did go buy the milky Ways today--at my husband's request of course (they are his favorites). All I did was show him the photo and he said ,"Please go buy the ingredients, today so you can make these tomorrow!"
My 2nd question is: how many Kraft caramels should I use for 4 ounces? I live in Mexico, where Kraft caramels arent available, however, my friend came to visit me and I begged for caramels. She brought me bags of 'caramel bites'. How many do I use?
And 3rd question: can I use these caramel bites for the caramel ice cream topping (not available here either). And if so, how much/many do you think I should use? Its hard getting many things here that you folks up there can just simply "go get" at the store! We dont even have a car! Please reply asap! Thank you!
Jocelyn
This can be made in either pan size. The difference will be in the baking time and the thickness of the end product. I would say probably about 1/2 cup of the caramel bites with the cream should work for the topping. If you use melt another 1/4 cup of the bites with 2-4 Tablespoons cream, it should be similar to the topping. I hope that helps and that they turn out for you.
Mary McFarren
I totally agree! Took too long to bake & it was too dense. Will use a 9 x 13 pan next time. All that aside - it was very delicious!!!
Keri
Ok stupid question I'm sure but how much regular sugar in cookie layer? It just says "1/2" & I wanted to clarify before making them for Thanksgiving.
Jocelyn
Good catch...sorry for the missing letter. It should be 1/2 c. sugar. I sure hope you enjoy them:-)
Kim and Julie (Sunflower Supper Club)
Jocelyn~I have only one word...INCREDIBLE!!! These look fantastic, can't wait to try. Just wanted to let you know you are one of our features from last week's Weekend Potluck. Can't wait to see what you bring this week! Have a terrific weekend!
~Kim
http://sunflowersupperclub.blogspot.com/2012/09/weekend-potluck-37.html
Becky
Congrtats on being featured on Weekend Potluck #37. Your Cheesecake Bars look amazing. I like the way the caramel is drizzled. I love the apple and cheesecake together.
Jocelyn
Thank you so much!!! Caramel drizzled any way is good right?:-)
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking
I think I just died only by looking at your photos! I have a bag of caramel apple tucked away in the pantry (for emergency purposes) and I can say : this is an emergency!
Can't wait to make them!
The Better Baker
MMMM - Oh My! Oh My! These look perfect...I would much rather have anything underdone than overdone. Your photos are out of this world inviting! So glad you linked up at Weekend Potluck.
Michelle C {Krumble Cakes and Sweets}
I think I pinned this already, I wouldn't be surprised if I did it twice. Oh these look amazing! I would have to do double the workout after having one but oh my, it would be well worth it.
Please stop by my link-up party and post if you can. These would definitely be a great hit. Thanks.
http://krumblecakesandsweets.blogspot.com/2012/09/link-up-party-2-hop-to-my-blog_24.html
Julie Chiou
this is making me drool! they look so good!!
Jocelyn
haha! Thanks:-)
Vicky @ Mess For Less
What a perfect fall treat. How can you go wrong mixing cheesecake and milky way? Just pinned this!
Gerry @Foodness Gracious
Your crazy 😉 I think they scream eat me!! and the caramel looks amazing. This is a keeper for sure..
Winnie
Jocelyn - these are truly outrageous treats!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
I think working under pressure totally works for you because these just look AMAZING!
Jocelyn
Everything usually does turn out ok, but sheesh I am stressed in the middle of it all:-)
Micki Sellers
OH, MY. gOSH!
HEaven heaven! {Please share at my linky party! http://www.addhousewife.com/2012/09/pin-inspiration-thursday.html
Shiloh Barkley
I made those cheesecake cookie dough bars that I pinned six months ago, and they were kind of blah. This looks so much better!
shilohstaste.com
Joan Hayes
Jocelyn, thanks for saving me that last bite! These are so over the top, you just had to save the best for last! Apple week has been so fun and I've pinned so many scrumptious things that I want to make. I think I need to plant a few apple trees in the yard just so I'll have an unending supply!
I'm a procrastinator too. I try to get ahead on my blog but then I'll realize, oh crap, I didn't edit my photos and I'll be up until 2 am trying to get it done. Hopefully I'm teaching my kids better or at least how to work under pressure!
Erin
Holy crud! Look at those! I have one of those days often. I hate it. But if you made these then I'd say it was quite productive =o) Love all your apple recipes! Thanks!
Cassie/Bake Your Day
Thanks for helping organize this week, Jocelyn! Love all this apple fun!
Diane Balch
This is a seriously intense dessert and I'm sure you were seriously intent when you were eating it. Awesome can't wait.
Jocelyn
ha...I seriously had no problem downing a few of these bars:-)
Angie@Echoes of Laughter
They look absolutely delicious Jocelyn! Thanks for all the terrific recipes you share with us! You are one talented blogger! Have a wonderful weekend! Angie xo
Becca Acker
Found your delicious post via 5 Days... 5 Ways. Wow, just the title of the post sounds YUMMY not to mention the actual picture! 🙂
Averie @ Averie Cooks
This is definitely my fave recipe of yours this week! The layers, oh, all those layers and all distinctive! The cookie, the cheesecake, the caramel and the drizzle - amazing!
Jocelyn
Thanks. The layers did it for me too!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
Underdone or not, I am totally drooling over these! I actually really LOVE those Caramel Apple Milky Ways--shocker since Milky Ways aren't typically my favorite. These bars look divine, Jocelyn! So gooey and rich and I'm freaking out over that caramel drizzle. Applicious Week was a HUGE success and I loved every minute of it!
4littlefergusons
While I am talking to myself, I will just post that I FIGURED IT OUT! 🙂 Yay me. Or duh me? Anyhow, I just realized the cream cheese layer baking instructions are there, under the "for the cookie layer" part. Nevermind! 🙂
Jocelyn
haha! Glad you figured it out. I went back and look and it is kind of confusing. I will have to go back and edit that to be more understandable.
4littlefergusons
I think your blog hates me today. My comments are taking me to a sign in page instead of saying "pending approval"! Argh. I'll try one more time. 🙂
I was confused by the cheesecake part of the recipe. It doesn't say to bake it or anything, but you mentioned it was under cooked. Can you clarify this for me?
What do you think about adding apple chunks to the cheesecake layer? I have some baking apples I want to use! 🙂
Jocelyn
Sorry for the comment trouble. Yes, you bake the cheesecake in between the layers of cookie dough. And I think that apple in the cheesecake would be awesome...I had actually thought about doing that, but I was already late making it:-) Just make sure you bake it at least 45 minutes with the added moisture from the apples.
Close to Home
really this early in the morning I have to get cravings... look amazing. love for you to share this recipe on my new recipe linky if you get a chance. http://www.stayingclosetohome.com/2012/09/friday-food-frenzy-week-3.html
ani1974
Can you use butter instead of shortening? These look delicious! Thanks! Ana
Jocelyn
Do you mean for the cookie layer? You could use more butter in place of the shortening. I just happen to like the texture and softness of cookies made with both.
4littlefergusons
Thanks for sharing at Weekend Potluck! These look like a winner for SURE!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I have those days. All the time, so don't feel bad. 🙂 LOVE these bars, they look gorgeous and delicious. I love apple week!
Jen Grantham
Stopping in from the Weekend Potluck. These bars look amazing! I've pinned them and can't wait to give them a try asap!
Jen @ Craftymisadventures.com
RecipeGirl
These are amazing girl. Seriously. no.... SERIOUSLY.
Jocelyn
Thanks...you just made my day:-)
SallysBakingAddiction
thank you for hosting Jocelyn! You and Aimee were so sweet to include me. I loved reading about all of these apple recipes, and have saved so many! I kind of like the look of the underdone cheesecake!
Jocelyn
Thank you for being a part too!! The underdone cheesecake actually worked really well with the cookie layers:-) And I was worried:-)
Betty@SouthernGrace
All of your food always looks wonderful..I am becoming your biggest fan. I bookmark everyone of them to make later!
4Sisters
Yep, I always feel like I work better with a little pressure too, but there are times when I wish I had gotten things done sooner 🙂 These look amazing - it's been a fun week!! Maybe if we schedule now for next year, we'll have plenty of time to get our goods made 😉 yeah right, I'll still wait til the last minute!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
Holly
Apple-licious week has been amazing!!! You girls rock! These Milky way cheesecake bars look INSANE. Milky Ways are my FAVORITE! 🙂 Have a great weekend ♥
Jocelyn
Thanks! I lurve those Milky Way bars too...especially the dark chocolate ones:-)