Chocolate Orange Cheesecake Bars

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• pecan halves (optional)
• 1 (8 ounce) package light cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350°f
• 2 stir together flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in large bowl. cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. stir in chopped pecans. reserve 3/4 cup flour mixture. press remaining mixture firmly onto bottom of ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 3 meanwhile, prepare chocolate orange filling: beat cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl until fluffy. add cocoa, milk, egg, vanilla and orange peel; beat until smooth.
• 4 spread filling over warm crust. sprinkle with reserved flour mixture. press pecan halves lightly onto top, if desired. return to oven. bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 5 cool; cut into bars. cover; refrigerate leftover bars.