Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

Link: http://janvanblarcum.com/

Delicious lemon cream cheese bars with a brown sugar pecan crust layer. More lemon desserts below.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon half-and-half or milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
PREPARATION:
Heat oven to 350°. Lightly butter a 9-inch square baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, pecans or walnuts, brown sugar, and butter. Using hands, blend ingredients. Dough will be crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup of the crumb mixture and pat remaining mixture in pan. Bake crust for 12 to 14 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, combine the lemon zest, juice, cream cheese, granulated sugar, milk, vanilla, and egg; beat with electric mixer at medium speed for about 2 minutes. Scrape sides of bowl occasionally.

Remove the crust from the oven; pour cream cheese lemon mixture over the baked crust. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture evenly over lemon cheese layer. Bake for 25 minutes longer, or until lightly browned. Chill for 2 hours before serving. Cut into bars. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or store in the freezer. Makes about 18 to 24 bars, depending on size.