Cherry Cheesecake Crumb Bars

By vealam

Ingredients

• For the Crust:
• 2 cups quick oats (not instant)
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1 teaspoon Spice Islands® Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Karo® Light Corn Syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• For the Filling:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup cherry preserves

Details

Servings 16
Cooking time 25mins
Adapted from mybakingaddiction.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, mix oats, flour, almonds, cinnamon, corn syrup, brown sugar and butter until crumbly. Press about 3/4 of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Reserve remaining crumb mixture for topping.

3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, sugar, egg and extracts until smooth. Pour over crust. Microwave cherry preserves in microwave-safe container on high for 5-10 seconds. Drop spoonfuls of preserves over cream cheese mixture. Use a knife to swirl it through cream cheese. Top with reserved crumb mixture.

4. Bake 25-30 minutes or until center is set. Cool on wire rack and cut into bars.