Cheesecake Bars

1/3 c. butter

1 c. flour

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. chopped nuts (SO yummy with hickory nuts!)

chocolate chips*

1/4 c. sugar

1 egg

1/2 t. vanilla

8 0z. softened cream cheese

2 T. milk

1 T. lemon juice

chocolate syrup*

Cream butter with brown sugar in a small mixing bowl; add flour and nuts; mix to make a crumb mixture. Reserve 1 c. for topping. Press remaining mixture into bottom of an 8"-square pan.

Place sugar, egg, vanilla, cream cheese, milk, and lemon juice in a mixing bowl. Mix well and beat until creamy. Pour over crust. Add chocolate chips (to taste) to remaining crumb mixture; sprinkle evenly over filling.

Bake at 350° F. for 12-15 minutes. Drizzle chocolate syrup over the top in a pretty zig-zag. Cool completely; chill for a day or two before cutting into bars and serving.

*Chocolate was not originally a part of this recipe. I added it because the bars sounded boring without. But if you don't like chocolate, feel free to leave it out--but then, if you don't like chocolate, why are you reading my blog?