A creamy filling, crispy topping, and an ooey, gooey drizzle of cane syrup make these easy-bake bars a crowd favorite.
Cream Cheese Oat Bars
Makes about 20
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 2 cups chopped roasted salted cashews
- 1¾ cups sugar, divided
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups prepared apple butter
- Garnish: Cane Syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, stir together flour, oats, cashews, 1 cup sugar, and baking soda. Add melted butter, stirring until well combined. Reserve 1½ cups mixture for topping. Using the bottom of a measuring cup, press remaining mixture into bottom of prepared dish.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining ¾ cup sugar with a mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add lemon juice and vanilla, beating to combine.
- Spread apple butter onto prepared crust. Spread cream cheese mixture over apple butter. Sprinkle with reserved 1½ cups oat mixture.
- Bake until cream cheese layer is set, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely.
What is cane syrup?
Cane syrup is thick dark syrup made from sugar cane. It’s somewhat similar to molasses.