Merry Cherry Bars

It just wouldn’t be Christmas at my house without these special bar cookies- so pretty using red and green maraschino cherries and candy coated chocolates.

Original recipe makes 3 dozen

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chopped red and green candied cherries
1/2 cup crushed candy coated milk chocolates

1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
5 teaspoons warm water

PREP

10 mins
COOK

30 mins
READY IN

45 mins

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and almond extract. Combine the flour and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until well blended. Mix in 1/2 cup of the cherries. Press the dough into an ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining cherries and crushed candies. Press in lightly.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely in the pan before icing. To make the icing, mix together the confectioners’ sugar and water until a drizzling consistency is reached.