Cherry Chews

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and juice reserved
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup flour, oats, 1 cup brown sugar, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Rub in the 1/2 cup of butter until crumbly. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan.

Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove and cool. Make the filling while the crust is baking. In a medium bowl, beat eggs, almond extract, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until smooth. Stir in the coconut, cherries and pecans. Spread over the pre-baked crust.

Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. Let cool before icing.

To make the icing, mix together the remaining 6 tablespoons butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add the reserved cherry juice until the desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over cooled bars before cutting into squares.