Delectable Cherry Cheese Bars Recipe

Ingredients

Localized ingredient list prepared for quick scanning.

• 1 cup walnuts, divided
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter flavor shortening
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 2 packages (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 can (21 ounce) cherry pie filling

Method

Follow the steps in order for the best result.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
3. Roughly chop 1/2 cup of the walnuts. These will be used for the topping, so set them aside for later.
4. Finely chop the remaining 1/2 cup of walnuts.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and brown sugar. Cut in the butter-flavored shortening until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the finely chopped walnuts and coconut.
6. Remove 1/2 cup of this crumb mixture and set it aside; this will be part of the topping.
7. Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
8. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract at medium speed until smooth and well combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the hot, baked crust.
9. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
10. Carefully spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer.
11. Combine the reserved chopped walnuts and reserved crumb mixture.
12. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cherry pie filling.
13. Return the pan to the oven and bake for a final 15 minutes. Let the bars cool completely at room temperature.
14. Refrigerate the bars for several hours before cutting and serving. This allows the filling to set properly.