italian cheese bars

How To Make italian cheese bars

• 1

  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.
• 2

  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.
• 3

  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.
• 4

  Make ahead tip: Store cooled bars in tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
• Printable Recipe Card