STRAWBERRY-FILLED LEMON CREAM CHEESE BARS

Strawberry-filled Lemon Cream Cheese Bars image

Provided by Jamallah Bergman

Categories Cookies

Time 2h45m

Number Of Ingredients 12

BASE
1 pkg lemon or yellow cake mix with pudding in it
1/2 c margarine or butter,softened
1/2 c finely chopped almonds
1 c strawberry preserves or jelly
FILLING
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese,softened
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c all purpose flour
1/8 tsp salt
1 egg
1/2 c frozen concentrated margarita mix,thawed

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 inch pan. Place cake mix in large bowl. With pastry blender or fork, cut in margarine until crumbly. Add almonds;mix well. Reserve 1 cup mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture in bottom of greased pan. Stir preserves until smooth; carefully spread over base.
2. In same bowl, combine cream cheese,sugar,flour,salt and egg; beat until well blended. Add margarita mix; beat at low speed until blended. Carefully pour filling over base. Sprinkle reserved base mixture over filling.
3. Bake at 350 for 35 to 45 minutes or until edges begin to brown and center is set. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.