A skip away from pumpkin pie...

So...it happens.  My best friend and I scarfed down some Wendy's for lunch today (umm...when did their burgers get so good??), so dinner last night was relegated to a lone bowl of cereal.  Not exactly 'blog worthy'J  But what WAS blog worthy was the dessert I made this weekend that is OH-SO-Fall/Thanksgiving appropriate that you might just want them to show up on your table next Thursday!  I present: 

Sweet Potato Cheesecake Bars...

I got this recipe from Sandra Lee's "Desserts 2" book (me thinks Sandra Lee and I are gonna likeTHIS once the baby is bornJ), so not only is this recipe quick, but also made mostly in one of my favorite cooking buddies:  The food processor... 

Into the processor went the first layer of:

• 1 box of vanilla cake mix
• 1 egg
• 1 stick of butter

Pulse for about 30 seconds and the ingredients form into a dough super quick! 

Press the dough into a 9x13 inch pan sprayed with nonstick spray and set aside while you make the next layer... 

The SWEET POTATO CHEESECAKE! 

Whirl up:

• 2 cups of cooked sweet potatoes (either boiled until soft or a premade 15 oz. can)
• 1 8oz. package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

A few seconds in the processor creates a smooth and silky layer.  Pour sweet potato evenly over the crust layer.  Pop in the oven (set at 350) for 30 to 35 minutes or until the layer is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

And finally, the last layer:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Mix all of that together and pour over the hot sweet potato filling.  Bake for 10 minutes or until set and the edges bubble.  Cool the pan on a wire rack. 

And finally, the fun part... 

• 1 1/4 cups granola cereal (I used pumpkin granola)
• 1/3 cup baking chips  (Sandy Lee suggests white chocolate, but we had butterscotch laying around and they worked out justttt fine)

Sprinkle the granola & chips over the sour cream and press in lightly.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours.  Wallah!  FALL appropriate barsJ 

And these were as yummy as they were easy.  I loved the sweet, vanilla-y "cake" layer topped with the spicy sweet potato...and ummm, hello??  Who doesn't love cheesecake?? J hahahahaha...try these out if you would like a small skip away from pumpkin pie this holiday season.

Alrighty...hope you guys have a great Wednesday!J