Orange Cashew Bars

Name: Orange Cashew Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1 large egg yolk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; FILLING:; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 3 large egg whites; 1 large egg; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon orange extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1-1/2 cups salted cashews, coarsely chopped; ICING:; 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar; 4 teaspoons orange juice; 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Two of my favorite ingredients, oranges and cashews, make a fantastic combination for a holiday bar—especially when you use fresh-squeezed orange juice in the glaze. —Anna Wood, Cullowhee, North Carolina

Ingredients

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 large egg whites
1 large egg
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups salted cashews, coarsely chopped
ICING:
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour.
Press dough onto bottom and 1/4 in. up sides of a 13x9-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake 15-20 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack.
For filling, in a large bowl, beat brown sugar, egg whites, egg, flour, extracts and salt until smooth. Stir in cashews. Pour into crust. Bake 15-20 minutes longer or until set.
Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. In a small bowl, mix icing ingredients; drizzle over top. Cut into bars.