Chocolate Orange Cheesecake Bars
Makes 24 bars

Prep Time: 10 min.
Baking Time: 40 min.

Ingredients

• 1 - cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 - cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 - teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/3 - cup shortening
• 1/2 - cup chopped pecans
• CHOCOLATE ORANGE FILLING (recipe below)
• Pecan halves (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

1. Stir together flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in large bowl.
2. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in chopped pecans.
4. Reserve 3/4 cup flour mixture.
5. Press remaining mixture firmly onto bottom of ungreased 9-inch square baking pan.
6. Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
   Meanwhile, prepare CHOCOLATE ORANGE FILLING; spread over warm crust.
7. Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.
8. Press pecan halves lightly onto top, if desired.
9. Return to oven and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
10. Cool and cut into bars.
11. Cover and refrigerate leftover bars.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE FILLING

Ingredients

• 1 - package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 - cup sugar
• 1/3 - cup Hershey's Cocoa
• 1/4 - cup milk
• 1 - egg
• 1 - teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 - teaspoon freshly grated orange peel

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl until fluffy.
2. Add cocoa, milk, egg, vanilla and orange peel and beat until smooth.