Recipe: Amaretto Cheesecake Cookies

AMARETTO CHEESECAKE COOKIES

FOR THE CRUST:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
6 tbsp butter, softened
FOR THE FILLING:
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
4 tbsp amaretto
1/2 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp chopped almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

TO MAKE THE CRUST:
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture forms fine crumbs. Reserve 1 cup crumb mixture for topping. Press remainder over bottom of ungreased 8-inch square baking pan.

Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees F or until lightly browned.

TO MAKE THE FILLING:
In mixer bowl, thoroughly cream together cream cheese and granulated sugar. Add egg, amaretto, and vanilla; beat well. Spread batter over partially baked crust.

Combine almonds with reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over batter.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.

Makes 16 squares
Source: Dining on Deck: Fine Foods for Sailing & Boating by Linda Vail