BLUE RIBBON APPLE BUTTER CHEESECAKE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Grease a 9x13" baking pan or coat with nonstick spray.
• In a large bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the butter, maple syrup and salt until lightened and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Beat or stir the flour into the butter mixture just until evenly incorporated.
• Firmly press the dough into the pan.
• Lay a sheet of wax paper over the dough, then press it out to the edges until flat and smooth on top. Peel off and discard the paper. Using a fork, prick the dough all over.
• Bake in the upper third of the oven for 17-21 minutes or until tinged with brown at the edges.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool briefly.
• Using a table knife, spread the apple butter evenly over the dough.
• CREAM CHEESE LAYER.
• In a food processor, process the cream, maple syrup, egg and vanilla until well blended and completely smooth, about 30 seconds, stopping and scraping down the bowl sides several times or beat in bowl of electric mixer on low speed, the cream cheese, until very smooth, add the maple syrup, egg and vanilla and continue beating until well blended.
• Pour the cream-cheese mixture over the apple butter, rap the pan or generously shake it to spread the cream cheese mixture out to the edges.
• Bake in upper third of oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cream cheese layer is beginning to brown and appears barely set when the pan is jiggled.
• Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let stand until cooled. Sift the cinnamon over the top.
• Refrigerate until chilled and firm, about 1 hour.
• Using a large sharp knife, cut the slab into 18 bars, wipe the knife clean between cuts.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month -- If freezing, leave slab whole, then cut into bars when partially thawed.