Recipe: Apple Raisin Cheesecake Bars

APPLE RAISIN CHEESECAKE BARS

FOR THE CRUST:
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
3/4 cup Butter Flavor Crisco all-vegetable shortening or 3/4 stick Butter Flavor Crisco
FOR THE FILLING:
2 packages (8 ounce each) cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup raisins
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

TO MAKE THE CRUST:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 13x9 inch baking pan with Crisco No-Stick Cooking Spray.

Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in large bowl; mix well. Cut in shortening with fork until crumbs form. Reserve 1 cup mixture.

Press remaining mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes or until mixture is set. Do not brown. Place on cooling rack.

TO MAKE THE FILLING:
Combine cream cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Spread evenly over crust.

Combine apples and raisins in medium bowl. Add almond extract; stir. Add 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice; mix well. Top cream cheese mixture evenly with apple mixture; sprinkle reserved oat mixture evenly over top.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until top is golden. Place on cooling rack; cool completely. Cut into bars.

Makes 24 bars