Strawberries 'N Creme Dream Bars

Looking for something other than 'shortcake' for making a dessert with fresh strawberries? Look no further! These easy, yet scrumptious dessert bars have a vanilla wafer crumb crust with a cheesecake-like filling topped with a lovely drizzle of chocolate and beautiful whole strawberries.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 (8-ounce each) packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
24 whole strawberries

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and melted butter in a bowl. Press onto the bottom of an 8-inch square pan.
3. Beat together softened cream cheese, sugar and eggs until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Pour over the crust.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center is set. Cool, then cut into squares. Melt semisweet chocolate chips and decorate the squares. Top with 24 strawberries.

Makes 24 bars.