Baked Cheesecake Squares

Crust mixture created from shortening, brown sugar, all-purpose flour and finely chopped walnuts. Crumbly mixture is pressed onto bottom of prepared baking pan. Filling created from cream cheese, sugar, eggs, milk, fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract. Prepared filling spread over crust and baked to brown crust and cook filling.

Ingredients -

1/3 cup Shortening
1/3 cup Packed Brown Sugar
1 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Walnuts, chopped
6-1/2 tablespoons Cream Cheese
1 Egg
2 tablespoons Whole Milk
1/4 cup White Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan.

3. Cream the shortening and brown sugar together in a larger bowl.

4. Gradually blend in the flour and walnuts.

5. The mixture will be crumbly.

6. Set aside one cup of crust mixture.

7. Press the rest of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

8. Bake for 15 minutes.

9. Beat the cream cheese and sugar together in a large bowl.

10. Add in the egg, milk, lemon juice and vanilla until well blended.

11. Spread the filling over the warm crust.

12. Sprinkle the top with the remaining crust mixture. Bake for another 25 to 28 minutes.

13. Let cool on wire racks before cutting.

Cheesecake Making Tips -

Soften Cream Cheese

Cream cheese should be soft before you begin mixing it. Place on the countertop for a half an hour before you begin mixing, or microwave for 15-20 seconds in a microwavable container.

Cheesecake Making Tips -

Honey

Fresh honey is used as a flavor enhancer in many recipes, as a sweetener and as a preservative. Store opened honey in a cool, dry location away from light. There is no need to ever refrigerate honey.