3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans
FILLING:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture until blended. Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans.
2. Set aside a third of the dough for topping. Press remaining dough into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Spoon over crust.
4. Drop teaspoonfuls of reserved dough over filling. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
Prize Winning Recipe
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 45 min.
YIELD: 2 dozen.
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (1 each) equals 176 calories, 11 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 25 mg cholesterol, 117 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.