Cherry Chews

Ingredients

• 0.5 teaspoon almond extract 
• 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 6 tablespoons butter softened
• 1 cup coconut or flaked
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar 
• 2  eggs 
• 1 tablespoon flour all-purpose
• 1 cup maraschino cherries drained
• 0.5 cup pecans chopped
• 1 cup rolled oats 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

Equipment

• bowl
• oven
• baking pan

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium 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.
3. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
4. Remove and cool. Make the filling while the crust is baking. In a medium 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.
5. Spread over the pre-baked crust.
6. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown.
7. Let cool before icing.
8. 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.
9. Drizzle over cooled bars before cutting into squares.