Pineapple & Ginger Cheesecake Bars

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup sweet butter
• 2 tablespoons candied orange peel, thinly chopped (may substitute with 1 tbsp freshly grated orange peel)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup candied pineapple, coarsely chopped
• 1/8 cup candied ginger, finely chopped

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350°f.
• 2 for crumb mixture - combine in a small bowl, flour, sugar, butter and candied orange peel.
• 3 beat on low speed for 2 minutes until well mixed.
• 4 set aside 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture for later use.
• 5 press the crumb mixture into an ungreased 8" square pan.
• 6 bake for 12 - 15 minutes, just until edges are lightly browned.
• 7 set aside to cool, while you make the filling.
• 8 for the filling - combine cheese, sugar, egg and lemon juice.
• 9 beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
• 10 stir in the candied pineapple and ginger.
• 11 spread the cream cheese mixture over the warm crust.
• 12 sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture on top.
• 13 put back in the oven and bake for 15 - 20 minutes longer.
• 14 cool completely, cut into squares and store covered in the fridge.