Cream Cheese Crumb Bars

Love these classic bars.  I make them all the time. I received this recipe years ago at a potluck and I made a few changes, adding sour cream and butter.  It adds a richness that reminds me of German Cheesecake. 

Cheese Cake Bars

Crust and Topping Ingredients:
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup soft butter
2 1/4 cups flour

Cream the brown sugar and butter until smooth and creamy.  Add the flour until crumbly.  Remove approx. 1 cup for topping.   Place the rest in a 13x9 inch baking pan.  Spray with baking release and press down to make crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven to cool.

Ingredients for filling:
4 8 ounce bars of cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
8 T. sour cream
1 stick butter, room temperature
2 T. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy.  Add the eggs, milk, lemon juice and vanilla and beat well.  Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread out evenly.  Sprinkle the reserved flour mixture on top of cream cheese filling.   Bake 350 degree oven for approximately 25 minutes.  Cool and refrigerate.  Cut into bars and enjoy.