Italian Cheese Bars

Name: Italian Cheese Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 20
Ingredients: 1/2 c butter or margarine; 1--15oz oz container of fat free ricotta cheese; 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 egg; 2 tsp finely shredded orange peel; 1 tsp almond extract; 1/2 c sliced almonds or chopped hazelnuts; 1/3 c chopped candied cherries; 1/3 c golden rasins

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By Patricia Dixon
@patdixon

i usually cook these for Christmas. My family loves them. The moist bars have the light texture and classic flavor of traditional Italian cheesecake.

Rating:

★★★★★ 2 votes5

Comments:

1 Comment

Serves:

Prep:

20 Min

Cook:

25 Min

Ingredients

1/2 c

butter or margarine
1--15oz oz

container of fat free ricotta cheese
2 Tbsp

all-purpose flour
1

egg
2 tsp

finely shredded orange peel
1 tsp

almond extract
1/2 c

sliced almonds or chopped hazelnuts
1/3 c

chopped candied cherries
1/3 c

golden rasins
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How to Make Italian Cheese Bars

Step-by-Step

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter or margarine in a 9x9x2 inch baking pan in the oven { about 6 minutes}. Remove from oven. Stir crushed crakers into melted butter or margarine; press mixture firmly and evenly onto bottom of pan using a wooden spoon. Set aside.
Combine the ricotta cheese, egg, sugar, flour, orange peel, and almond extract in a blender container or food processor bowl; blend or process until smooth.Carefully spread cheese mixture over crumb mixture.
Combine the almondsor hazelnuts, cherries, and rasins; sprinkle over the cheese layer. Bake for 25 to 30 mins. or until the edges are puffed and golden.
Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour; cover and chill for 2 hours. Cut into bars. Makes 20.
Make ahead tip: Store cooled bars in tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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