Apple Cheesecake Bars

I love Cheesecake! Well, some cheesecake! These bars came from my one of the new cookbooks I had purchased earlier. Gary liked these bar cookies, but I myself didn't. I think I would have, but I have never really been a fan of baked apples. There is just something about them that is just eh. I prefer my cheesecake New York style. They looked very good though. Everyone said they tasted great. If I pulled the apple topping off....I loved them. The crust is crunchy and the filling creamy. I was actually thinking of making them again, except maybe with a cherry topping instead of apple. The recipe called for golden raisins also, but I forgot to add them in. I am guessing it was to give it an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie effect. Here is the recipe in case there are any takers.

Apple Golden Raisin Cheesecake Bars

1 1/2 Cups rolled oats
3/4 Cup flour
1/2 Cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 Cup plus 2 Tbs sugar divided
3/4 Butter flavor crisco Stick
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 Cup chopped Granny Smith apples
1/2 Cup golden raisins
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice

1. Heat oven to 350

2. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in large bowl; mix well. Cut in shortening with fork until crumbs form. Reserve 1 Cup mixture.

3. Spray 13x9 inch baking pan with Nonstick spray. Press remaining mixture onto bottom of pan. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until set. DO NOT BROWN. Place on cooling rack.

4. Combine cream cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Spread evenly over crust.

5. Combine apples & raisins in medium bowl. Add almond extract; stir. Add 2 tbs sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg & allspice; mix well. Top cream cheese mixture evenly with apple mixture; sprinkle reserved oat mixture over top. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until top is golden. Place on cooling rack; cool completely. Cut into 18 bars.

Source: OLD FASHIONED BAKE SALE