Cherry Walnut Bars

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 40 min. + cooling

Makes

4 dozen

Updated: Sep. 14, 2023
Cheer up with these nutty little fruit bars that travel extremely well. Since our cookie-loving son joined the Air Force, I've shipped them as far away as England and Italy. &mdash:Margaret Zuber, Marietta, Georgia
Cherry Walnut Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 jar (6 ounces) maraschino cherries
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • ICING:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted, optional

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pat into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine eggs, brown sugar, salt, baking powder and vanilla. Drain cherries, reserving 2 tablespoons juice; set juice aside. Chop cherries; add to brown sugar mixture. Stir in walnuts. Pour over crust and spread evenly. Bake 20-25 minutes longer or until set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  3. For icing, combine confectioners' sugar and butter in a bowl. Add enough reserved cherry juice to reach desired consistency; drizzle over bars. Sprinkle with coconut if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 108 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.