Lemon Cheese Bars

By MarieR

Using a really creamy cheese for the topping makes these bars suitable for any celebration.

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
• 2 oz/1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup; 3-ounces soft light brown sugar
• 3 oz; 1/3 cup unsalted (sweet)butter, softened
• grated rind and juice of 1small lemon
• 8 ounces; 1 cup full-fat cream cheese
• 2 -ounces; 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla essence (extract)
• 1 large (US extra large) egg

Preparation

Step 1

I Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/ Gas 4. Grease a 23cm/9in square cake tin (pan).
2 Beat together the flour walnuts, brown sugar and butter Divide the mixture in half. Press half of the mixture into the prepared cake tin. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from the oven.
3 Beat together the lemon rind and juice, the cheese and sugar, then beat in the milk, vanilla essence and egg. Spoon over the partly cooked pastry and crumble the remaining mixture evenly over the top. Bake for a further 25 minutes, until the top is golden.Transfer to a. wire rack to cool, then chill. Cut into bars.