White Christmas Cheesecake Bars

Crust

• 6 Tbsp. cold, unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup all purpose flour

Filling

• 8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
• 1/3 cup white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli brand)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut cold butter into chunks, add brown sugar and flour to an electric mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until mixed well and crumbly. Remove ½ cup of crumb mixture and set aside for later use. Press remaining crumb mixture into an 8 inch square pyrex dish. I like to press this down evenly with a flat spatula, pressing down firmly and making sure crust is even. This mixture will look like it will not stay together, once it is baked it sets. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

Meanwhile in a mixer bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and lemon juice at high speed until fluffy, about 2-4 minutes, stir in nuts and chocolate chips at this time. Spread filling over crust, then top with the ½ cup of reserved crumb mixture, coating evenly and continue to bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Then cut into 36 mini bars (cut into 4 even quarters, then cut each quarter into 9 even pieces, like a tic tac toe). I like to place these on top on top of mini baking paper cups (1 5/8 in). They sell these around the holidays decorated with fall leaves, holly and such. Cover and store in refrigerator.

It is very easy to triple this recipe and use the 8 inch square pyrex along with a 13 x 9 inch pyrex. Just divide portions of 1/3 into the 8 inch and a 2/3 portion into the 13 x 9 inch. The baking time will be the same. Also it tastes just as good with 1/3 less fat cream cheese. Enjoy, it's another fat cell singer here.

These make a really nice gift over the holidays. I go to the dollar store and buy a 3 pack of cookie tray bags. I fill a plate of these with the bars and wrap it in the pretty cookie tray bag. They really look good in the mini baking cups all wrapped up. It gets a big smile everytime. You can give a nice plate out for a gift, or even use a paper plate.