Cherry Walnut Shortbread Bars

A good friend of mine, Mary, shared this recipe with me. I thought I would try it out, as I love maraschino cherries and shortbread. They are delicious and I want to start making them every Christmas. Enjoy!

Cherry Walnut Shortbread Bars

Shortbread base:

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup butter

Cherry walnut mixture:

2 eggs

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I ground mine up very fine)

1/2 cup chopped Maraschino cherries

Frosting:

1 TBSP butter

1 cup powdered sugar

Cherry juice to blend

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the shortbread by mixing the flour, sugar, and butter and press into a 13"x9" pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.

Next, make the cherry walnut mixture by combining the eggs, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Next, add the walnuts and cherries, then pour over the shortbread crust. Bake for an additional 25 minutes.

Let the bars cool completely before frosting. Make the frosting by combining the butter, powdered sugar, and enough of the cherry juice to make a spreadable frosting. Spread onto the cooled bars, then cut into pieces. Enjoy!