Cherry Chewbilees

By Joreiblich

A favorite Christmas cheesecake!

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 1 cup walnuts pieces, divided
• 1-1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
• 1/2 cup flake coconut
• Filling:
• 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350'

Grease 13x9 pan and set aside

Chop 1/2 cup walnuts coarsely and set aside for topping.
Chop remaining 1/2 cup walnuts finely. For Crust: combine flour, brown sugar. Cut in shortening until crumbs form. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts and coconut. Remove 1/2 cup and set aside. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake for 12-15 mins, until edges are lightly browned.
Meanwhile beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla at medium speed with electric mixer until smooth. Spread over hot baked crust, bake 15 mins longer. Spread cherry pie filling over cheese layer. Combine reserved nuts and crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over cherries. Return to oven and bake 15 mins longer. Cool. Refrigerate several hours. Cut into bars.