Love My Philly

 
 
 
 
 
Usually, when I think of dried fruit and nuts, I think of trail mix. After learning of this recipe, dried fruit and nuts will remind me of these Fruit and Nut Festive Bars, which happen to be great for the fall season! A wonderful thing about these bars is that they make for excellent gifts! For gift giving, make ahead and package small portions of the bars in re-sealable plastic containers and wrap them with a colorful ribbon. Very nice!

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 1 hr 45 min
Makes: 2 doz. or 24 servings, one bar each
Nutritional Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ingredients

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
3 eggs
1 pkg. (7 oz.) dried fruit bits
3/4 cup PLANTERS Pecans, chopped
3/4 cup BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut

Instructions

BEAT cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add flour and baking soda; mix well. Cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or until chilled.

PREHEAT oven to 325°F. Line 13×9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Spray with cooking spray. Roll out prepared dough slightly larger than pan on lightly floured surface. Press prepared dough onto bottom and 1-inch up side of prepared pan. Prick bottom of crust with fork. Bake 10 min.

MEANWHILE, mix sweetened condensed milk and eggs until well blended. Pour mixture into baked crust. Top with dried fruit, pecans and coconut.

BAKE 20 min. or until center is almost set. Remove from oven; cool completely. Use foil handles to remove from pan before cutting into bars.