Holiday Cheesecake Bars

• flour↗2 cups
• brown sugar↗2⁄3 cup
• butter↗2⁄3 cup
• chopped walnuts1 cup
• Filling
• (8 ounce) packages light cream cheese, softened↗2 2
• sugar↗1⁄2 cup
• eggs↗2 2
• milk↗1⁄4 cup
• lemon juice↗2 tablespoons
• vanilla↗1 teaspoon
• sliced red maraschino cherry (optional)
• sliced green maraschino cherry (optional)

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. 2

   In a bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in walnuts. Reserve 1 cup. Press remaining crumbs into ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 12 minutes.

3. 3

   For filling, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beat well after each addition. Beat in milk, lemon juice and vanilla, pour over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.

4. 4

   Bake 25 - 30 minutes longer or until edges are lightly browned and filling is almost set. Cool in pan on a wire rack.Cut into squares. Garnish with cherries if desired. Store in the refrigerator.