FRUIT 'N' NUT SPICE BARS

Fruit 'n' Nut Spice Bars image

I'm always looking for new dessert recipes, and this one combines several of my favorite flavors.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup honey
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
1-1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

In a small bowl, toss cherries with 1/4 cup flour; set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and honey. Combine the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining flour; add to creamed mixture. Stir in nuts, chocolate chips and reserved cherries., Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth; drizzle over warm bars. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 102mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.