Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8×8 inch square baking pan with baking spray.
2. Make the cheesecake filling: Using a stand mixer or electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar together on low speed until there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and beat on low speed until they are fully incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. Then, set aside.
3. Make the bars: Melt the butter in the microwave or in a pan over the stove. Transfer to a medium bowl and allow to cool slightly. While it’s cooling, combine your flour, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside.
4. Once cooled, add the sugars to the butter and mix together. Add the egg and vanilla, beating until the egg is completely incorporated but without adding too much volume.
5. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture. Mix until the flour is mostly combined. Add 1/2 of the apple butter. Mix to blend in apple butter, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. It does not need to be fully incorporated. Repeat this by adding and blending 1/3 of the flour mixture and the rest of the apple butter.
6. End with adding the remaining flour. Mix again until mostly blended. Mix until all of the flour is incorporated, but don’t over-mix. The batter will be thick.
7. Spread batter in the prepared baking pan.
8. Drizzle the batter with the cheesecake filling, using a fork or knife to swirl it into the bars.
9. Sprinkle with the crushed D0-Si-Dos.
10. Bake for 30-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with visible moisture but no wet clumps. Allow to cool completely on the counter before refrigerating for at least three hours.
11. Cut into squares and serve!