Holiday Cherry Cheese Bars

By sulli5301

Ingredients

• 1 c Walnut pieces - divided
• 1 1/4 c All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 c Brown Sugar - firmly packed
• 1/2 c Butter Flavor Crisco
• 1/2 c Coconut Flakes
• 2 8oz pkg Cream Cheese - softened
• 2/3 c Granulated Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 2 t Vanilla
• 1 21oz can Cherry Pie Filling

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 pan with crisco. Set aside. Chop 1/2c of walnuts coarsely for topping. Chop remaining 1/2c of walnuts finely.

For Crust:
Combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in Butter Flavor Crisco until fine crumbs form. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts and coconut. Mix well. Remove 1/2c and set aside. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.

For Filling:
Beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla in small bowl at medium speed. Spread over hot baked crust. Return to oven. Bake 15 minutes longer. Spread cherry pie filling over cream cheese layer. Combine reserved coarsely chopped walnuts and reserved crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over cherries. Return to oven. Bake 15 additional minutes. Cool. Refrigerate several hours. Cut into bars (about 2x1 1/2")