Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Filling
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350; grease a 13x9 pan; set aside.
2 In a mixing bowl, combine shortening and sugars; add egg and vanilla.
3 Combine dry ingredients (not chips or pecans), add to creamed mixture; fold in chips and nuts.
4 Set aside one-third of dough (topping); press remaining dough into pan; bake for 8 minutes.
5 Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth; add eggs and vanilla until creamy; spoon over crust.
6 Drop teaspoons of reserved dough over filling (nicely spaced, please).
7 Bake for 35-40 minutes (lightly golden brown).
8 Cool on wire rack.
9 Cover and store in fridge.