Raspberry-Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup butter flavor shortening

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese (softened)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup seedless raspberry preserves (or other berry of your choice) or raspberry jam
• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds.

3. 3

   Cut in shortening until mixture resembles fine crumbs.

4. 4

   Set aside 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping.

5. 5

   For crust, press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

6. 6

   Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or till the edges are golden.

7. 7

   In another mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and almond extract till smooth.

8. 8

   Spread over the hot crust.

9. 9

   Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes.

10. 10

    Spread preserves over cream cheese mixture.

11. 11

    In a small bowl, combine the reserved crumb mixture, coconut and sliced almonds-sprinkle over preserves.

12. 12

    Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes more.

13. 13

    Cool in pan on a wire rack.

14. 14

    Chill for 3 hours before cutting into bars.

15. 15

    Store in the fridge.