CHOCOLATE ORANGE CHEESECAKE BARS

By cecelia26_

Ingredients

• CRUST
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
• (optional)
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• CHOCOLATE ORANGE FILLING
• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese,
• softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated orange
• peel
• Pecan Halves, optional

Preparation

Step 1

CRUST
Heat oven to 350°F. Stir together flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in large bowl. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in chopped pecans. Reserve 3/4 cup flour mixture. Press remaining mixture firmly onto bottom of ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned.


CHOCOLATE ORANGE FILLING
Beat cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl until fluffy. Add cocoa, milk, egg, vanilla and orange peel; beat until smooth. Spread over warm crust.

Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture. Press pecan halves lightly onto top, if desired. Return to oven. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool; cut into bars. Cover; refrigerate leftover bars. About 24 bars.