Description
Sweet sugar cookie bars studded with maraschino cherries and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped (about half of a 16 oz jar)
- 3/4 cup soft butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
- 1/4 cup butter, softened (for frosting)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1/4 tsp almond extract (for frosting)
- Dash of salt (for frosting)
- 2 1/2 – 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350?F (175?C).
- Drain the maraschino cherries well and chop them finely.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
- Gradually add the flour, salt, and baking powder, stirring until the dough forms.
- Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Press the dough evenly into a well-greased 9×13-inch baking pan; optionally line the pan with foil for easy removal.
- Bake at 350?F (175?C) for about 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely before frosting.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and a dash of salt.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Once the bars have cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Cut into squares and serve.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins