Recipe of the Week — Cranberry Cheese Bars

Ms. Williams is sharing a very special recipe this week, one of her favorites.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1-1/2 cups oats

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup margarine (or butter), soften

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk  (NOT evaporated milk)

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 (16 oz.) can WHOLE berry cranberry sauce

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, 3/4 cup sugar and margarine;  mix until crumbly.

Reserving 1-1/2 cups crumb mixture.  Press remaining crumbs firmly on bottom of greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan.

Bake 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in small mixer bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Gradually beat in sweeten condensed milk until smooth: stir in lemon juice.  Spread evenly over prepared crust.

In a small bowl, combine remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and cornstarch; stir in cranberry sauce.

Spoon evenly over cheese layer.  Top with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake 40 minutes or until golden.  Cool. Chill.

Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes 24 to 36 bars.

Marty Williams, our resident chef, Thousand Oaks

Have a favorite recipe? Old family secret?  Share it with us!

Please send to: [email protected]

We’ll be in the kitchen waiting.

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