These cheesecake squares have a nutty brown sugar shortbread crust beneath the cheesecake layer.

Cheesecake Squares

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 large egg
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together the butter and brown sugar. Add flour and nuts, mixing well. Mixture should resemble coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into bottom of a lightly greased 8-inch square pan.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
4. Blend sugar with cream cheese until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Spread mixture over hot baked crust and sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes. Cool, cut into 2-inch squares and refrigerate.

Makes about 16 squares.