Cherry Chews - Intimate Recipes

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar 

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter

2 eggs

1 cup packed brown sugar 

½ teaspoon almond extract

1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder 

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and juice preserved 

½ cup chopped pecans 

6 Tablespoons butter, softened

4 cups confectioners sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a bowl, stir together 1 cup flour, oats, 1 cup brown sugar, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Rub in the 1/2 cup of butter until crumbly. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan.

Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove and cool. Meanwhile, make the filling. In a bowl, beat eggs, almond extract, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt until smooth. Stir in the coconut, cherries and pecans. Spread over the pre-baked crust. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. Let cool before icing.

To make the icing, mix together the remaining 6 tablespoons butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add the reserved cherry juice until the desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over cooled bars before cutting into squares.