Chai Spice Mix

Combine all the spices in a small bowl, mix together, set aside

Crust

Preheat the oven to 350°F

Line an 8X8″ baking pan with aluminum foil, make sure it hangs over the edge by about an inch**

Grease the aluminum foil with cooking spray

Add the cookies and 4 tsp chai spice mix to the bowl of your food processor

Process on high until the cookies are fine

Slice the butter into 8 equal pieces, add to the food processor

Process on high until the butter fully incorporates

Press the mixture into the pan in a single, even layer

Put the pan in the oven to bake for 10 minutes

Remove from oven and set aside to cool while you make the cheesecake

Cheesecake

Add the cream cheese and sugar to the bowl of your electric mixer fitted with blade attachment

Beat on high until cream cheese is smooth and sugar is combined

Add eggs one at a time, beat

Use a rubber spatula to scrape down any cream cheese stuck to the sides or bottom of the bowl

Add vanilla extract and salt

Mix until mixture is smooth

Pour the mixture over the crust, set aside

Apple Pie Filling

In a medium sized bowl, toss the apples with the chai, brown sugar and corn starch

Pour the apples over the cheesecake batter, use a spoon to spread evenly

Place the cheesecake in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes

Once cheesecake is set, remove from oven

Set aside to cool for 20 minutes

Place in refrigerator and cool for at least 2 hours

Using the aluminum foil, carefully pull the cheesecake out of the pan

Slice into bars***

Keep refrigerated in an air tight container until ready to serve

Caramel Sauce (Optional)

If you choose to serve the bars with caramel sauce, make it right before serving

Melt the butter over medium-low heat

Add the sugar, vanilla extract and salt, whisk until sugar is dissolved

Bring mixture to a slow boil, reduce heat to simmer

Whisk in the heavy cream

Pour warm sauce over bars