Ooey Gooey Cherry Bars

By srumbel

Definitely a treat worthy of a special occasion – or one that can make an occasion special! This recipe has been my special go to for two years now, ever since I took one of my favorite bar recipe and played around with it to produce my ultimate favorite bar recipe. Special doesn’t even begin to cover it. These Ooey Gooey Cherry bars are an experience – and one I hope you get to have soon.
from southernplate.com

Ingredients

• Crust
• 2 2 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temp
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
• For filling
• 2 2 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 4 4 large eggs
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 1/2 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 2 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 6 jar 6 ounce jar maraschino cherries, drained and cut in half
• 1.5 1.5 1.5 cups chopped pecans (optional)
• confectioner's sugar, for finishing

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

In medium mixing bowl, place crust ingredients. Cut butter into flour and confectioner's sugar with a pastry cutter or long tined fork, until well combined and crumbly. Press into 9x13 pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until just lightly browned on the edges. Remove from oven when done and reduce temp to 325.

In same bowl (no need to wash it), place sugar, eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and vanilla from filling ingredients. Stir together with a long spoon until smooth and creamy - batter will be thick. Stir in cherries and pecans until well incorporated. Spoon filling onto crust and spread to the edges. Bake until set, about 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Dust top with confectioner's sugar and cut into bars. Enjoy!

Serves: 9x13 pan