Recipe: Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

1 cup finely crushed pretzel sticks

2 tablespoons sugar

½ cup butter, melted

Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs, lightly beaten

3 tablespoons bottled key lime juice* or regular lime juice

½ teaspoon finely shredded lime peel

¼ cup chopped, salted pistachio nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 9x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside.

For crust, in a medium bowl combine crushed pretzels and the 2 tablespoons sugar; stir in butter. Press crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack while preparing filling.

For filling, in a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, the 2/3 cup sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Stir in eggs. Stir in lime juice and lime peel.

Pour filling evenly over crust; sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until center appears set. (To check for doneness, gently shake the pan. If the filling appears nearly set, it's done. The center will firm up as it cools.) Cool in pan on a wire rack for one hour. Cover and chill for four to 24 hours (top will crack slightly). Cut into bars. Makes 15 to 20 bars.

*Note: Look for bottled key lime juice in the juice aisle of your supermarket.

Nutrient data per bar: 254 calories, 19 grams fat (11 grams saturated), 92 milligrams cholesterol, 276 milligrams sodium, 17 grams carbohydrates, no fiber, 4 grams protein.

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