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1. In a bowl, combine flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan.
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2. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
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3. While bottom layer is baking - make cream cheese layer by mixing the following in a small bowl:
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4. 1 regular package of philadelphia cream cheese (not the small size).
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5. 1/3 cup of white granulated sugar.
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6. 1 egg.
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7. 1 teaspoon vanilla.
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8. Mix cream cheese layer with electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Spread on crumb layer and then continue with recipe below.
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9. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, beat egg. Add salt and remaining brown sugar.
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10. Stir in the nuts, cherries and chocolate chips.
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11. Spoon evenly over crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven. Be careful not to over cook these.
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12. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield 2 dozen.
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The original recipe does not call for a layer of cream cheese. I modified the recipe to suit my taste after I made it the first time without the cream cheese layer. I felt it was too dry and needed additional texture that the cream cheese layer adds nicely.
