Morning Dessert

Lemon-Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 
  BUTTER CRUST
• 1/3 cup butter, softened 
• 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Vegetable cooking spray 
• LEMON FILLING
• 1 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese 
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg 
• 1 egg white 
• GARNISH
• Lemon rind curl
• 
  
• Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare Crust: Beat first 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add 1 cup flour, beating at low speed until well blended. Press mixture on bottom of an 8-inch square pan coated with cooking spray.
2. 2. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
3. 3. Meanwhile, prepare Filling: Process cottage cheese in a food processor 1 minute or until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Add granulated sugar and next 6 ingredients, and process 30 seconds or until well blended. Pour filling over prepared crust.
4. 4. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until set. (Edges will be lightly browned.) Cool 30 minutes. Cover and chill 8 hours. Cut into bars. Garnish, if desired.