CHERRY SUGAR COOKIE BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

INGREDIENTS

BARS

• 3/4 cup maraschino cherries finely chopped (about half of a 16 oz jar)
• 3/4 cup butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder

FROSTING

• 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• dash salt
• 2 1/2-3 cups powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

BARS

1. Drain cherries well. Chop and set aside. Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Add flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir till combined. Fold in the cherries.
2. Press dough into a well greased 9x13" pan. (I like to line mine with foil first.) Bake at 350° for about 20 minutes or till very lightly brown on the edges.
3. Cool bars completely, then frost with cream cheese frosting.

FROSTING

1. Beat cream cheese and butter till smooth and creamy. Beat in vanilla, almond extract, salt, and enough powdered sugar to make a spreadable frosting. Spread on bars.

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