Shelly's Recipe

SUNSHINE DREAM BARS

Category: Bars

Crust
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 oz cream cheese, softened
2 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp grated lemon peel
1/2 cup flour

Filling
1 (3 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
2 1/2 tbsp sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
1 tbsp lemon juice

Nut Topping
1 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (toasted if possible)

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8 inch square metal pan with non-stick foil or parchment paper.

In a medium size mixing bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Stir in the lemon peel, then add the flour and stir just until mixed. Press the mixture into bottom of lined pan. It will seem impossible, but if you use wet hands, you can do it. The crust is supposed to be thin. Bake for 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until soft. Add the egg and beat just until it is blended in. Stir in the lemon peel and lemon juice. Pour this mixture over the baked crust.

Prepare topping. Combine flour, baking powder and salt and stir thoroughly. Stir in sugar. When well mixed stir in 1/3 cup of the nuts. Spoon topping over filling and sprinkle the remaining nuts on top. Bake for 20 minutes or until set (top will be golden brown). Let cool completely, then lift from pan and cut into 16 bars