Cranberry Crumb Bars

Since it's still the holidays, you can take advantage of the great sales on canned cranberry sauce and make these.  I like to stock up so that I can make treats like these during the year.  I found this recipe in a Taste of Homes magazine 8 years ago and made them for Tory and I for our first Christmas together.  We loved them and have been making them ever since.  They have a crust that is like shortbread, a cream cheese layer,  a cranberry layer, and then a crumb topping.  Delicious together!

Cranberry Crumb Bars

Crust:
1 1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. powdered sugar
3/4 c. cold butter
Filling:
1 (8 oz.)  package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 (16 oz.) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
Topping:
1/3 c. flour
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 c. cold butter
3/4 c. finely chopped walnuts

-Combine flour and powdered sugar; cut in butter until crumbly.  Press into a greased 9x13 and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min. or until edges are lightly browned.  Reduce heat to 325.

-In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add milk and lemon juice; mix well.  Pour over crust.

-In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and brown sugar.  Stir in cranberry sauce until combined.  Spoon over cream cheese layer.

-For topping, combine the flour and brown sugar in a bowl; cut in butter.  Fold in walnuts.  Sprinkle over filling.  Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 min. or until topping is golden brown.  Cool on a wire rack.  Cover and chill ofr 3 hours before cutting.