Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars w/Cream Cheese Frosting

By srumbel

Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars . . . these pretty little bars are loaded with juicy cherries. They are perfect for Valentine’s Day!
from creationsbykara.com

Ingredients

• Bars:
• 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped (about half of a 16oz jar)
• 3/4 cup soft butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• Frosting:
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• dash of salt
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups powdered sugar

Preparation

Step 1

For bars: Drain cherries well. Chop and set aside. Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Add flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir till combined. Fold in the cherries.

Press dough into a well greased 9x13" pan. (I like to line mine with foil first.) Bake at 350° for about 20 minutes or till very lightly brown on the edges.

Cool bars completely, then frost with cream cheese frosting.

Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter till smooth and creamy. Beat in vanilla, almond extract, salt, and enough powdered sugar to make a spreadable frosting. Spread on bars.

Yield: 20-24 servings