CHERRY CREAM CHEESE BARS

INGREDIENTS

1 cup walnuts, divided
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter flavor shortening
1/2 cup coconut
2 (8 oz) bars cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350°F.

2. Grease a 13x9x2 inch pan.

3. Coarsely chop 1/2 cup nuts for the topping. Set aside.

4. Finely chop remaining 1/2 cup nuts.

5. Combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in shortening until fine crumbs form.
Add finely chopped nuts and coconut.

6. Remove 1/2 cup of this mixture and set aside.

7. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan.
Bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

8. Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla at medium speed until smooth.
Spread over hot baked crust.
Return to oven and bake 15 minutes longer.

9. Spread cherry pie filling over cheese layer.

10. Combine reserved nuts and reserved crumbs. Sprinkle over cherries.
Return to oven and bake 15 minutes more. Cool.
Refrigerate several hours before cutting and serving.

YIELD: 36 Bars