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.
Recipe
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.
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
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!
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!!!
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:-)
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.
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! 🙂
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.
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:-)