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Cherry Cheese Bars

List of Ingredients

Crust:
1 cup walnut pieces, divided
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter flavor Crisco
1/2 cup flaked coconut
Filling:
2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling


Recipe

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13x9x2 inch pan. Set aside. Chop 1/2 cup nuts coarsely for topping. Set aside. Chop remaining 1/2 cup nuts finely.

Crust: Combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in Crisco till fine crumbs form. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts and coconut. Mix well. Remove 1/2 cup. Set aside. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, till edges are lightly browned.

Filling: Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla in small bowl at medium speed or electric mixer till smooth. Spread over hot baked crust. Return to oven. Bake 15 longer.

Spread cherry pie filling over cheese. Combine reserved nuts and reserved crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over cherries. Return to oven. Bake 15 minutes longer. Cool. Refrigerate several hours. Cut into bars, about 2 x 1 1/2 inches.