Christmas Almond Cherry Bars

Festive almond-flavored bars studded with semisweet chocolate chips, chopped maraschino cherries, slivered almonds and coconut.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup maraschino cherries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and almond extract. Stir in flour mixture just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips, cherries, almonds and coconut.
4. Spread in prepared pan and bake 25 to 28 minutes or until tested done when a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack completely before cutting into bars.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen bars.