Cheesecake Squares

I made these squares with St. Patrick's Day in mind. You can change the colour of the M and M's to suit the occasion. These are delicious squares. Very quick and easy to make with a limited number of ingredients. I got the original recipe from the Philadelphia Cream Cheese cookbook. It's one that I've held onto since there are so many great recipes in it.

Cheesecake Squares

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts( I omitted these)

1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
3/4 cup M and M's

Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Add flour. Reserve 1/2 cup of crumbs for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into 8x8 pan. Bake at 350F for 10 min.

Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla mixing at medium speed with electric mixer. Add egg. Mix well. Layer 1/2 cup candy over cooked crust. Top with cream cheese mixture. Combine remaining candy and crumbs and sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 for 20 additional minutes.  Cool.