Cheesecake Squares

These can be made with your favourite jam….strawberry, blackberry, apricot….I prefer to use homemade jams but you can use whatever you wish.

• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cups dark brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 cups finely chopped almonds
• 3/4 cup butter
• pinch of ground cinnamon

Combine all the ingredients until crumbly. Reserve 3/4 cup for topping. Press balance into a 13 x 9 inch cake pan sprayed with Pam. Bake at 350 degrees for about 14-15 minutes until edges are golden.

Filling

• 2 x 8 oz. Packages softened cream cheese
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ tsp. Almond extract
• 1 cup your favourite jam
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds

Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and extract until smooth. Spread evenly over the hot crust. Bake for 15 minutes longer. Stir jam until smooth and spread over the filling. Stir the sliced almonds into the reserved topping and sprinkle over the jam. Bake another 15 minutes.

Cool on a rack and then chill for 3-4 hours before serving. Add a touch of whipped cream if you wish to go over the top.

What a wonderful way to finish off a dinner.