Pecan Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients:
- flour - 1 1/2 cups
- packed brown sugar, divided - 1 1/2 cups
- butter, softened - 1/2 cup
- finely chopped pecans, divided - 2 cups
- cream cheese, sotened - 2 - 8 ounces packages
- sugar - 1/2 cup
- milk - 1/2 cup
- vanilla extract, divded - 2 1/2 t
- light corn syrup - 1/2 cup
- butter, melted, cooled slightly - 1/3 cup
- eggs, lightly beaten - 3
- salt - 1/4 t
Instructions:
Prepare shortbread layer -- in a bowl, combine flour and 3/4 cup brown sugar. With a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Evenly press mixture into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes; remove from oven, cool for 10 mnutes.
Prepare cheesecake layer -- beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, beat in sugar. Add milk and 2 t vanilla, beat until combined. Pour cream cheese mixture over shortbread layer. Return to oven, bake for 15 minutes; remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes.
Prepare pecan pie layer -- in a bowl, combine 3/4 cup brown sugar, corn syrup and butter. Gently stir in eggs, salt and 1/2 t vanilla extract; stir in 1 1/2 cups pecans. Pour pecan mixture over cooled cheesecake layer. Return to oven bake for 35 - 40 minutes, or until center is set.
