Easy Cheesecake Bar

I recently helped several ladies at church give a wedding shower for one of the young men in our church and his fiance. It was a fun affair with summer decor and a music theme (since both the bride and groom-to-be love music). The vision for the shower came from the April 2010 Southern Living Magazine. This recipe was a hit and came from the magazine as well.

1 c. all purpose flour
1/3 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 c. butter, softened
3 (80z) pkgs cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/3 c. sour cream
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1 (15.5 oz) container ready-to-spread chocolate frosting (optional)
garnish: fresh raspberries

Beat flour, brown sugar and butter at medium-low speed with an electric mixer until combined. Increase speed to medium, and beat until well blended and crumbly. Pat mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition. Add sour cream and vanilla, beating just until blended. Pour over baked crust.

Bake at 350º for 25 minutes or until set. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Cover and chill 4 to 24 hours; cut into bars.

If desired, spoon frosting into a zip-top plastic freezer bag. (Do not seal.) Snip 1 corner of bag to make a small hole. Pipe a frosting monogram on each bar. Garnish, if desired.

Southern Living, APRIL 2010