Cherry Cheese Bars

 

Crust:  1 c. walnuts, divided

           1 ¼ c. flour

           ½ c. brown sugar

           ½ c. margarine

           ½ c. coconut

Filling:  2-8oz packages cream cheese, softened

            2/3 c. sugar

            2 eggs

            2 t. vanilla

            1 can cherry pie filling

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 13x9 pan.  Chop ½ cup nuts coarsely for topping.  Chop remaining finely.  For crust:  combine flour and brown sugar.  Cut in margarine  until resembles fine crumbs.  Add ½ c. finely chopped nuts and coconut.  Mix well.  Remove ½ c. and set aside.  Press remaining crumbs into the bottom of pan.  Bake at 350 degrees 12-15 minutes.  Filling: beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla in bowl at medium speed.  Spread over hot baked crust.  Return to oven bake 15 minutes.  Spread cherry pie filling over cream cheese layer.  Combine reserved nuts and crumbs. Sprinkle over cherries and bake 15 minutes longer.  Cool.  Refrigerate several hours.