Cheesecake Bars

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Servings: 36
Yield: 36 servings

Description

These cheesecake bars with a crunchy nutty crust and a creamy vanilla filling are just as rich and delicious as cheesecake, but much easier to make!

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2 To make the crust: Beat butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add flour and chopped nuts; stir until mixture becomes crumbly. Set aside 1/4 cup to use as a topping.
3 Press mixture into an 8-inch square pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on a rack.
4 To make the filling: Beat cream cheese and white sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in egg, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla until well combined. Spread filling mixture over baked crust. Sprinkle reserved mixture on as a topping.
5 Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are puffed and the surface is firm, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack before refrigerating until ready to serve.