Italian Cheese Bars
By
Patricia Dixon
@patdixon
1
i usually cook these for Christmas. My family loves them. The moist bars have the light texture and classic flavor of traditional Italian cheesecake.
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
How to Make Italian Cheese Bars
- 1Heat 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.
- 2Combine 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.
- 3Combine 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. - 4Make ahead tip: Store cooled bars in tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
About Italian Cheese Bars
Course/Dish: Cakes, Other Desserts
