Cherry Cheese Bars

Ingredients:

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup cherry preserves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13" x 9" baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add one egg; beat well. Stir in 1 1/2 cups flour and salt until well blended. Reserve 1 cup of mixture by spooning lightly into measuring cup; set aside.

Press remaining crust mixture into prepared pan (dust fingers with flour for easier handling). Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Blend remaining 3 tablespoons flour into reserved crust mixture until crumbly; set aside.

In small mixing bowl, blend cream cheese and remaining egg with electric mixer until smooth. Remove crust from oven and spread cream cheese mixture evenly over top. Spoon cherry preserves over cream cheese. Sprinkle with reserved crumb topping. Bake 35-40 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on wire rack before cutting. Cut into 1" x 3" bars. Yield: 36 bars