Chocolate-Cream Cheese Bars

Yield: about 36 bars

Ingredients

Filling

• 2 cups (12 ounce package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 2/3 cup (5 ounce can) evaporated milk
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Crust/Topping

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine chocolate chips, cream cheese and evaporated milk; cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate chips are melted and mixture is blended.
3. Remove from heat and stir in walnuts and almond extract. Blend well; set aside.
4. Stir together Crust/Topping ingredients; blend well until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Press half of crumb mixture into pan; spread with chocolate mixture.
6. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over filling.
7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool completely on wire rack.
9. Cut into bars.