Almond Streusel-Cherry Cheesecake Bars

By carvalhohm

These dessert bars are absolutely loaded with flavors that work so well together! Almond and cherries, rich cream cheese, and golden streusel topping—heaven!

Ingredients

• 1 pouch (1 pound plus 1.5 ounces) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix
• 1/4 cup cold butter or margarine
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 2 1/2 (8.5-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. Place cookie mix in large bowl. Cut in butter and 4 ounces cream cheese, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 1/2 cups mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture in bottom of pan. Bake 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat 20 ounces cream cheese, the sugar, flour, almond extract and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over partially baked cookie base. Spoon pie filling evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with reserved topping and almonds.

Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.