COCONUT CHERRY BARS

Coconut Cherry Bars image

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup cold butter
FILLING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 jar (10 ounces) red or green maraschino cherries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
FROSTING:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Steps:

Combine flour and sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. For filling, combine brown sugar, flour, baking powder, salt; mix in eggs and vanilla. Drain cherries, reserving juice. Chop cherries; fold into batter along with walnuts. Pour over crust. Bake 20-25 minutes longer or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool. For frosting, beat butter and sugar in a bowl. Gradually stir in 3-4 tablespoons reserved cherry juice until frosting reaches desired spreading consistency. Frost bars; sprinkle with coconut.

Nutrition Facts :