Holiday Cherry Cheese Bars

This is a recipe from Mom. These look really tasty.

HOLIDAY CHERRY CHEESE BARS

CRUST

1 cup walnut pieces, divide

1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup firmly pack brown sugar

1/2 butter flavor Crisco (I use margarine)

1/2 cup flake coconut

FILLING

1 Package (8 ounce each) cream cheese softened

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease 13 x 9 x 2

2. Chopped 1/2 cup nuts coarsely for topping. Set aside chop remaining nuts finely.

3. For Crust combine flour and brown sugar, cut in Crisco until fine crumb form. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts and coconut. Mix well. Remove 1/2 cup. Set Aside. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake at 350 for 12 - 15 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.

4. For Filling beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla in small bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until smooth spread over hot baked crust. Return to oven. Bake 15 minutes longer.

5. Spread cheery pie filling over cheese layer.

6. Combine reserved coarsely chopped nut and reserve crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over cherries. Return to oven. Bake 15 minutes longer. Cool. Refrigerate several hours. Cut into bars, about 2X2 inches.

Enjoy!!