Shelly's Recipe

PRALINE CHEESECAKE SQUARES

Category: Cheesecake

Crust
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup finely chopped pecans
2 tbsp confectioners sugar

Filling
3 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
4 eggs, lightly beaten

Topping
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine the flour, butter, pecans and confectioners sugar. Press into an ungreased 13x9 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 20-24 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the milk, vanilla and lemon peel. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar and cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour over cheesecake. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Cut into squares.