CRUST:

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. butter-flavored shortening
1 c. chopped walnuts, divided
1/2 c. flaked coconut

FILLING:

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

In a bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in shortening until fine crumbs form. Stir in 1/2 cup nuts and coconut. Reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into the bottom of a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, for filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth. Spread over the hot crust. Bake 15 minutes. Spread pie filling on top. Combine remaining nuts and reserved crumbs; sprinkle over cherries. Bake 15 minutes more. Cool. Refrigerate until serving. Yield: 20 servings.

Cherry Chewbilees make a good dish to carry to potlucks and parties. It's a hit for me at home, too - my husband rates it as once of his favorite desserts. We both love the country, and the small town we live in has a very rural-sounding nickname.