Merry Berry Cheese Bars

This delicious confection is an Eagle Brand recipe and will definitely have you thinking about the holidays. The crumb crust and topping is a crunchy delight; the cheesecake-like filling and cranberry make this a festive addition to your holiday cookbook.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 2  cups unsifted flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups oats
• 3⁄4 cup  firmly packed brown sugar, plus
• 1  tablespoon  firmly packed brown sugar
• 1  cup butter or 1  cup margarine, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
• 2  tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 (16 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, 3/4 cup sugar and butter; mix until crumbly.
3. Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture.
4. Press remaining crumbs firmly into the bottom of a greased 13 x 9 pan.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, beat cheese until fluffy.
7. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth.
8. Stir in lemon juice.
9. Spread evenly over prepared crust.
10. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1 tablespoon sugar and cornstarch; stir in cranberry sauce.
11. Spoon evenly over cheese layer.
12. Top with reserved crumb mixture.
13. Bake 40 minutes or until golden.
14. Cool.
15. Chill.
16. Store covered in refrigerator.