Cinnamon-Pecan Cheesecake Bars

Cinnamon-Pecan Topping:

2 Tbsp butter
1/4 c sugar
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 c flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 c chopped pecans

Bars:

1/2 c butter at room temperature
1/4 c sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 c flour
1/8 tsp salt

Filling:

2 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs

To make topping: Mix together sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add vanilla and pecans and mix again. Set aside.

To make bars: Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and then gently blend in flour mixed with salt. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9"x13" glass pan and gently pat the dough into the pan -- it will be a thin layer. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

To make filling: Prepare while the base is baking. Beat cheese with sugar until creamy and well blended. Add eggs and beat until smooth.

When bars are finished baking, pour cheesecake filling over the base, then sprinkle with topping. Return pan to oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Check after 20 minutes -- bars are done when filling starts getting golden and puffy.

Turn the oven off and prop the door open while bars cool for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours. Once cool, slice into bars.

NOTES
From Penzey's.
Untried.