Christmas Cranberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
½ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (see Tip)
1 serving Nonstick cooking spray
½ cup regular rolled oats
½ cup whole-wheat flour
¼ cup packed brown sugar (see Tip)
¼ cup butter, melted
2 (8 ounce) packages reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar (see Tip)
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup fat-free milk
4 eggs, lightly beaten

DIRECTIONS

Step 1
In a small saucepan bring cranberries, orange juice and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until slightly thick. Let cool. Transfer to a food processor. Cover and process until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl (should have about 1/3 cup); discard solids. Wash processor bowl and blade.

Step 2
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. For crust, place oats in food processor; cover and process until coarsely ground. In a small bowl combine ground oats, flour, brown sugar and melted butter. Press onto bottom of the prepared pan (crust will be thin).

Step 3
In a large bowl beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup granulated sugar and vanilla with a mixer on medium until smooth. Beat in milk. Stir in eggs just until combined.

Step 4
Spread cream cheese mixture over crust. Drop cranberry mixture by teaspoonfuls onto cream cheese mixture. Swirl slightly to marble.

Step 5
Bake 25 minutes or until edges are puffed and center is set. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cover and chill 4 to 24 hours before serving. Cut into bars, wiping knife between cuts.