Streusel Topped Apple Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 0.7 cup almonds french organic cascadian farm®
• 1.5 cups apples chopped
• 16 oz cream cheese softened
• 2  eggs 
• 0.5 cup flour all-purpose
• 9  graham crackers 
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 0.3 teaspoon nutmeg 
• 0.3 cup juice of lemon 
• 1 teaspoon juice of lemon 
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest grated
• 0.5 cup brown sugar light packed
• 0.8 cup brown sugar light packed
• 0.3 cup butter unsalted melted
• 6 tablespoons butter unsalted cold

Equipment

• food processor
• bowl
• frying pan
• paper towels
• oven
• wire rack

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325F. Lightly grease 8- or 9-inch square pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. In food processor, place graham crackers, granulated sugar and lemon peel. Cover; process until fine crumbs form.
3. Add melted butter. Cover; process until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press mixture in bottom of pan.
4. Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, wipe food processor bowl with paper towels to remove any crumbs.
6. Add cream cheese, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Cover; process until smooth and creamy.
7. Pour filling over partially baked crust.
8. In small bowl, toss apples with 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
9. Sprinkle over filling.
10. In medium bowl, mix 3/4 cup brown sugar, the flour and cold butter with fork or fingers until crumbly. Stir in granola.
11. Sprinkle over apples and filling.
12. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until topping is lightly browned and center is almost set (center should jiggle only slightly when moved). Cool on cooling rack 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until chilled.
13. Cut into 3 rows by 3 rows.