Cardamom-Cashew Bars

 

1/2

package (8-oz size) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel)

1/2

cup powdered sugar

1/4

cup packed brown sugar

2

teaspoons vanilla

1

egg yolk

1 1/2

cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1 1/2

cups packed brown sugar

1/2

cup fat-free egg product or 2 eggs

3

tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2

teaspoons vanilla

1/2

teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon

1/4

teaspoon salt

1 1/2

cups cashew pieces and halves

3/4

cup powdered sugar

1

tablespoon orange juice

• 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9-inch pan. To make crust: Beat cream cheese and sugars in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and egg yolk. Gradually stir in flour to make a soft dough. Press dough evenly in pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until very light brown.
• 2 In medium bowl, beat all filling ingredients except cashews with electric mixer on medium speed about 2 minutes or until thick and colored. Stir in cashews. Spread over baked crust.
• 3 Bake 19 to 22 minutes or until top is golden brown and bars are set around edges. Cool completely.
• 4 Mix icing ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Spread over bars. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.