Cherry cheese bars

Cherry cheese bars

Ingredients/Components

• sugar - 1/3 c
• vanilla - 1 tsp
• pkg
• egg - 1 item
• all-purpose flour
• firmly packed brown sugar - 1/2 c
• can cherry pie filling - 1 oz
• flake coconut - 1/2 c
• butter flavor Crisco - 1/2 c
• walnuts, divided - 1 c

How to make cherry cheese bars:

Filling:1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened1/3 c. sugar1 egg1 tsp. vanilla1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling Chop half cup walnuts coarsely for topping and set aside. Chop remaining 1/2 cup finely.

For crust, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in Crisco until fine crumbs form. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts and coconut. Mix well. Remove 1/2 cup and set aside. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of greased pan. Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

For filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth. Spread over hot baked crust. Return to oven. Bake 10 minutes longer. Spread cherry pie filling over cheese layer. Combine reserved nuts and crumbs. Sprinkle over cherries and bake 15 minutes more.

Recipe categories: Desserts, Cookie and brownie, Bar cookie.