Caramel Apple Milky Way Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients :

For the Cookie Layer

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2 Tablespoons sour cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 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
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 2 Tablespoons flour

For the Topping

• 4 ounces caramel candies (about 14 squares)
• 4 Tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon shortening

Instructions :

For the Cookie Layer

• Cream the butter, shortening, sour cream, 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 a greased 8 inch 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 at 350 degrees for 45 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. Drizzle over the top of the cooled bars.
• In a small microwave safe bowl, place the chocolate chips and shortening. 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 15 squares. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator

ENJOY!