These rich bars are chock full of nuts, chocolate and fruit. The recipe makes a very large pan, for munching and sharing.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Cooling time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes
Yield: Makes 48 bars
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1-3/4 cups flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
- 1 cup salted mixed nuts, broken
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2-3 Tbsp. milk
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 15x10" jelly roll pan with 1" sides with nonstick baking spray containing flour; set aside.
Beat 1/2 cup butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together. Beat in eggs and vanilla until fluffy.
Add dry ingredients alternately with milk and orange juice. Then stir in cherries, nuts and chocolate chips. Spread into prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes until light golden brown and set.
For frosting, melt 1/4 cup butter in large saucepan, and then cook over medium heat, watching carefully, until butter begins to turn brown. DO NOT BURN!! Stir in powdered sugar, vanilla and milk to make a thin frosting. Frost bars while warm; cool and cut into squares.
