Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 0.25 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. To make the crust: Beat butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add flour and chopped nuts; stir until mixture becomes crumbly. Set aside 1/4 cup to use as a topping.
3. Press mixture into an 8-inch square pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on a rack.
4. To make the filling: Beat cream cheese and white sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in egg, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla until well combined. Spread filling mixture over baked crust. Sprinkle reserved mixture on as a topping.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are puffed and the surface is firm, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack before refrigerating until ready to serve.