Cheery Cheesecake Cookie Bars

Shared by: IAmAChocoHolic

4 Points Per Serving

4 Bars (1 ounce each) Hershey's Unsweetened Baking Chocolate, broken into pieces.

1 Cup Light Margarine

2 1/2 Cups Sugar, Divided

1 Cup Egg Beaters

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 Package (8 Ounce) Light Cream Cheese

1 3/4 Cups Milk Chocolate Baking Pieces

1/2 Cup Chopped Red or Green Maraschino Cherries (optional)

1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract

Few Drops Red Food Color (optional)

Heat oven to 350º. Grease 13x9 inch baking pan. Place baking chocolate and butter in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH for 2- 2.5 minutes, stirring after each minute, until mixture is melted. Beat in 2 Cups Sugar, 3/4 Cup Egg Beaters and vanilla until blended. Stir in flour, spread batter in prepared pan. Beat cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup sugar and remaining 1/4 cup egg beaters; stir in 1 1/4 Cups milk chocolate baking pieces, cherries and almond extract. Add food color, if desired. Drop by spoonfuls over top of chocolate mixture in pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until just set. Remove from oven; immediately sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup milk chocolate pieces over top. Cool completely in pan on wire rack; cut into bars. Cover and refrigerate leftover bars.

Makes 36- 4 Points Each