Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Nutty Crust

by Annie
(New Mexico)

Ingredients:

1 cup All purpose flour
1 cup ground hazelnut powder (Trader Joe's)
2/3 cup packed Brown Sugar
3/4 cup melted Butter
1 cup dry roasted almond slivers
16 ounces Cream Cheese, Room Temperature
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1 1/2 cups mashed (or Canned) Pumpkin
4 large Eggs
3 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground nutmeg
1/2 t. ground allspice
1 t. ground Cloves
1 t. cayenne pepper
2 t. Vanilla


Directions:

Combine flour, hazelnut, butter, almonds & brown sugar in medium bowl. Stir till thoroughly mixed. OPTIONAL- Set aside 1 cup mixture for topping.

Press remaining mixture into bottom of 9x16'' Pan, or ALL of it if not putting some on top of bars. A smooth-bottomed drinking glass helps press the crust into a smooth, solid mass. Bake in 350F preheated oven for 15 minutes. Cool slightly.

Combine cream cheese, sugar, pumpkin, eggs, spices, & vanilla in large mixer bowl. Beat until smooth & creamy.

Pour over baked crust. OPTIONAL- Sprinkle with reserved topping.

Bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes, or until pumpkin tests done. Cool before cutting into 1x2 bars.