Golden Apple Raison Cheesecake Bars

• 1 and 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed lt. brown sugar
• 3/4 cups plus 2 tbsp. of sugar divided
• 3/4 cups butter flavored Crisco vegetable shortening
• 2, 8oz. packages of cream cheese softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup chopped Granny Smith apples
• 1/2 cup golden raisons
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. ground allspice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix oats , flour and sugars together and cut in shortening until crumbly and reserve 1 cup of the mixture and set aside.  Spray a 13"x9" baking pan with non stick cooking spray.  Press remaining mixture into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 min. or until it is set but do not brown.

Combine cream cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla in a med mixing bowl and beat at med. speed.  Spread evenly over crust.  

Combine apples and raisons in med. bowl and add extract and 2 tbsp. sugar and spices and mix well.  Top cream cheese mixture with the apple mixture and then sprinkle the reserved crumbs over top and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 min. or until top is golden.  Cool completely and cut into bars and serve.  Makes 18 bars.

ENJOY!!