1 c. walnut pieces, divided
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter

FILLING:

2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
2/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Chop 1/2 cup nuts coarsely for topping, set aside. Chop remaining finely.

For crust, combine flour and brown sugar, cut in butter until fine crumbs form. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts. Mix well. Remove 1/2 cup, set aside. Press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are lightly browned.

For filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Spread over hot baked crust. Return to oven. Bake 15 minutes longer. Spread cherry pie filling over cheese layer. Combine reserved coarsely chopped nuts and reserved crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over cherries. Return to oven. Bake 15 minutes longer. Cool. Refrigerate several hours. Cut into bars, about 2 x 1 1/2 inches.