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Cheesecake Bars

Source of Recipe


From "The Big Book of Potluck" by Maryana Vollstedt



List of Ingredients



• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 cup walnut halves
  
• 6 Tbsp butter, cut into pieces
  
• 12 ounces cream cheese, cut into pieces
  
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  
• Large egg
  
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  






Instructions



1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
   In a food processor, combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter. Process with on/off pulses until crumbly. Or, you can combine brown sugar and flour in a bowl and, using a pastry blender, cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in nuts. Set aside 1 cup for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into a buttered 8-inch-square baking pan. Bake until set, about 10 minutes.
   
   
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, lemon juice, zest and vanilla until fluffy, about 1 minute. Pour on top of crust and spread with a spatula to the edge of the baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture on top and gently pat down with the back of a spoon.
   
   
3. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes. Cool on a rack and cut into bars. Store, covered, in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
   
   Makes about 16 bars.