Holiday Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
3. 2/3 cup cold butter
4. 1 cup Diamond of California Chopped Walnuts

FILLING

1. 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
2. 1/2 cup sugar
3. 2 eggs
4. 1/4 cup 2% milk
5. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
6. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7. Sliced red and green maraschino cherries, optional

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in walnuts. Reserve 1 cup. Press remaining crumbs onto the bottom of an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in the milk, lemon juice and vanilla. Pour filling over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.
3. 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. Yield: 2 dozen.