Maraschino Cherry Bars

Maraschino Cherry Bars

2 cup flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter, cut into cubes

2 eggs beaten slightly
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon rum extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, chopped fine
1 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened (optional)
2-4 tablespoons reserved cherry juice
1 jar maraschino cherries, drained but reserve juice

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sift flour and sugar, then cut in butter with a pastry cutter. Press crust into the greased baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes till top is slightly brown. In a large mixing bowl beat eggs, add brown sugar, then vanilla and rum extract. Chop cherries in quarters and add to egg mixture. Also add coconut flakes and nuts. Coconut flakes may be omitted. Add enough reservee cherry juice to keep mixture slightly wet but not too wet. When crust is baked cool slightly and spread cherry mixture over the top, spreading evenly. Bake another 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into squares. A frosting of powdered sugar and some of the cherry juice may be added before cutting into squares. I love making fruit bars as they are rather quick to make, fool proof, and the store well at room temperature.