Apple Cheesecake Bars

I put together three elements from recipes I love, hoping they would make one incredible new dessert and while not all experiments go well, this one did! Crisp shortbread base with an eggless cheesecake filling and caramelised apple topping for the apple season celebration treat we didn’t know we needed. There’s the crunchy, creamy, delicious trifecta and all the apple pie vibes in a much easier avatar. Let’s bake!

• 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (70 gms)
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt if using unsalted butter
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup butter cut into cubes, slightly softened but still cold (55 gms)

• 2 red apples
• 1 tbsp butter, salted is ok
• 2 tbsps brown sugar, light or dark
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

• 300 gms cream cheese, at room temp
• 1/4 cup thick yoghurt, curd or sour cream at room temp (60 gms)
• 1/4 cup cream, at room temp (60 ml) whipping cream recommended but regular cream is ok
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup caster sugar (65 gms)
• Pinch of salt
• 1 and 1/2 tbsps cornflour or cornstarch