Strawberries N Cream Bars

Strawberries and Cream Bars

(from lilluna.com)

Sugar Cookie Bottom Layer:

-1/3 cup shortening

- 1/3 cup butter

- 3/4 cup sugar

- 1 egg

- 1 tsp. vanilla

- 1/2 tsp. almond extract

- 1 tsp. baking powder

- 1/2 tsp. salt

- 1 1/2 cup flour

INGREDIENTS FOR CREAM LAYER:

- 1 8 oz. package (1 bar) of PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese (softened)

- 1 cup white chocolate chips

- 1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 1/3 cup water

- 2 TB cornstarch

- Large tub of Cool Whip

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9×13 pan,

2. Cream together shortening, butter and sugar. Mix until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla and almond extract until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl, combine baking powder, salt and flour and mix well. Gradually add to creamed mixture until well blended. Spread into the bottom of your greased pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until edges or golden brown. Let cool.

4. Melt white chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave by heating up in 30 second intervals. Mix with softened cream cheese until well blended. Spread over sugar cookie layer and refrigerate.

5. In a small pan, mix together sugar and cornstarch. Add chopped strawberries and water and heat on medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. Once it is boiling, take off the heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Pour over cream cheese layer and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

6. Top with Cool Whip and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Totally perfect and delicious.  A great treat!