Cleta's OMG-So-Ono Cheesecake Bars

Cleta brought this dessert to share at class yesterday, and it was like my title says "OMG So Ono".  AND me and Erick totally scored because a bunch of people were absent so she gave us theirs to take home. 😋

Thank you Cleta! And people-who-neva-show-up!

Cleta says: The original recipe calls for 2 cups of Apple Butter but since I didn’t have any, I used a bottle of Cherry Fruit Spread that I found at Ross.  I think any kind of filling will do.

CHEESECAKE BARS WITH YOUR CHOICE OF FILLING

CRUST:

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

2 cups flour

½ tsp salt

CHEESECAKE LAYER: 

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, room temp

½ cup sugar 

1 large egg, room temp

1 tsp vanilla extract

FILLING OF CHOICE- no more than 2 cups 

STREUSEL TOPPING:

1-1/2 cups flour

1-1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar

¾ cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

¼ tsp. salt

¼ cup chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
2. You can use an electric mixer but I just used my hand to combine the crust ingredients together.  Transfer to an ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan, pat the crust in and bake for 15 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool completely.
3. In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth on medium speed.  Add the egg and vanilla and continue beating until combined.  Set aside.
4. In another bowl, combine the Streusel ingredients until the mixture comes together and forms coarse crumbs.  
5. Once the crust has cooled, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of the crust leaving a ¼ inch edge all around.  Spread a thin layer of filling over the cream cheese then sprinkle the streusel topping over the entire top.  Bake for 40 minutes, remove and cool completely.  Cover with plastic wrap and let it set overnight before cutting into squares.
6. Makes about 24 pieces.