A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 12 bars. For the crust: 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs ¼ cup salted butter, melted ½ cup chopped pecans For the filling: 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1½

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 12 bars. For the crust: 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs ¼ cup salted butter, melted ½ cup chopped pecans For the filling: 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1½

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Yield: 12 bars.

For the crust:
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup salted butter, melted
½ cup chopped pecans

For the filling:
4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1½ cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

For the garnish:
Whipped cream
Pumpkin pie spice

Heat oven to 300°. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch of paper hanging over the sides. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and pecans with the melted butter. With your fingers, press the crust on the bottom of the prepared pan. Set aside while making the filling.

In the mixing bowl of a stand-up mixer, add the cream cheese and sugar. With the paddle attachment on, beat on low speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended. Spoon half of the mixture over the crust and spread evenly.

Add the pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice to the remaining cream cheese mixture. Use a wire whisk to stir until smooth. Carefully spoon over mixture in pan.

Bake the cheesecake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes or until just set. Turn off the oven and leave the door ajar, allowing the cheesecake to slowly cool down for about 1 hour.

Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before cutting into bars. Top each bar with whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spice.

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This story was published on Nov 18, 2015

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells gained a fond respect and interest in cooking from her mother and Aunt Addie at the age of 8 in North Carolina. During college, Wells worked in a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to family- owned. After graduating from UNC Greensboro with a degree in nutrition management and hospitality, Wells began a 21-year career in the nutrition department at Cone Health. In 2014, Wells started Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service, an in-home cooking experience for private clients, which continues today. Wells is also a food writer, food stylist, culinary consultant, and the recipe developer/writer for Our State.