Chewy Cherry Bars

By HeatherS

Ingredients

• Frosting:
• 1 pkg (18.25 oz [515 g]) white cake mix
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped drained maraschino cherries
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 2 cups confectioner's (icing) sugar, sifted
• 3 to 4 tbsp. light (10%) cream

Details

Servings 4
Cooking time 40mins

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F. 13 x 9 inch cake pan, greased

Crust: In a large mixer bowl, combine cake mix and butter. Beat on low speed until well blended. Press firmly into prepared pan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden.

Filling: In a large mixer bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar and extract together until smoothly blended. Stir in flour and baking powder. Mix well. Stir in coconut, cherries and nuts. Spread evenly over warm crust. Bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until set and golden. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Frosting: In a small mixer bowl, beat butter and almond extract until smooth. Gradually add confec- tioner's sugar and cream, beating on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Spread over cooled bars.
Chill until frosting is firm. Cut into bars.