Last Week...

I went to an AP Biology conference at Rice last week. What a beautiful campus! I'm looking forward to this week---organizing closets, baking, and visiting with friends are on my agenda!

I kicked off the baking last night, much to Tony's dismay. (He's in a weight loss competition at work--and has already lost 7 pounds!) I made chocolate chip cookie cheesecake bars. They are YUMMY--especially fresh out of the oven! They're also very easy, which is always a plus. Here's the recipe (from Taste of Home: Winning Recipes cookbook):

Cookie "dough":

3/4 cup shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1-1/2 cups miniature chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped pecans

Filling:

2 packages (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans. SEt aside a third of the dough for topping. Press remaining dough into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Sp[oon over crust. Drop teaspoon-fulls of reserved dough over filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and store in the fridge.