Almond Streusel Cherry Cheesecake Bars *

 Cookie Base and Topping
1 pouch sugar cookie mix
1/4 cup cold butter
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Filling
20 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp almond extract
2 eggs 
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

Heat oven to 350.  Spray 13x9 pan with cooking spray.  Place cookie mix in large bowl.  Cut in butter and 4 oz cream cheese, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture is crumbly.  Reserve 1 1/2 cups mixture for topping.  Press remaining mixture in bottom of pan.  Bake 12 minutes.  Meanwhile in large bowl, beat 20 oz cream cheese, sugar, flour, almond extract and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.  Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over partially baked cookie base.  Spoon pie filling evenly over cream cheese mixture.  Sprinkle with reserved topping and almonds.  Bake 40-45 minutes or until light golden brown.  Cool 30 minutes.  Refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.  Store covered in refrigerator.