Valentine Recipe: Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

 

Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars
With Cream Cheese Frosting 

Recipe from Creations by Kara

I like the idea of old-fashioned hospitality.  Warmth, friendliness - a little extra effort.
As a kid I realized my Mom was a natural at hospitality: hosting dinners for extended family, baking, and cooking. 
Food is definitely how we show love and connection.

When I'm working with clients or at special times throughout the year, I enjoy 
sharing treats that I've made, or ones that my daughters have made.

This recipe called to me - almond flavoring, maraschino cherries and sugar cookies.
My favorites!

Chloe gave it a test-run on a day when school was cancelled due to the cold and 
they were a hit!  The recipe below is the original, from the blog author.

Here's the recipe:

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Bar Ingredients:
3/4 C. maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped (about half of a 16 oz jar)

3/4 C. soft butter

1 C. sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. almond extract

2 1/2 C. flour

1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder

Instructions for bars:

1) Drain cherries well.  Chop and set aside.

2) Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.  Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract.  Add flour, salt and baking powder.  Stir until combined.  Fold in the cherries.
3) Press dough into a well-greased 9"x13" pan.  The blog author lines her pan with foil first. (I used canola spray and did not line with foil and had great results).
Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until very lightly brown on the edges (I set the timer for 20 minutes and they came out beautifully each time).
4) Cool bars completely, then frost with cream cheese frosting.

Frosting Ingredients:
4 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature.

1/4 C. butter, softened
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond extract
Dash of salt
2 1/2 - 3 C. of powdered sugar

Instructions for frosting:

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.  
Beat in vanilla, almond extract, salt, and enough powdered sugar to make a spreadable frosting.  

Spread on bars.  Decorate with sprinkles as desired, or leave plain.

Enjoy!

~ Judy