Apple Cream Cheese Bars

🛒 Ingredients (Check Off As You Measure)

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 large egg, separated
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups peeled and diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour and ½ cup sugar. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender until crumbly. Add the egg yolk and mix until dough comes together. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with ¼ cup sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread this mixture over the crust.
4. In another bowl, toss the diced apples with the egg white, 2 tablespoons flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Spoon the apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are golden and the filling is set. Let cool completely before slicing into bars. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.