CHOCOLATE CHERRY BARS

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter,softened and divided
2 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
4 eggs, divided
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, divided
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups quick oats
6 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups fresh Bing or Royal Anne pitted cherries
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with foil; set aside. In a mixing bowl beat 1/2 cup of the butter on medium to high 30 seconds. Add 1 cup of the brown sugar, the baking soda and salt. Beat until combined, occasionally scraping bowl. Beat in 1 egg and 1/2 tsp of the vanilla. Beat or stir in 1 1/4 cups of the flour. Stir in oats and set aside.

2. For Filling: In a sauce pan stir remaining 1 1/2 cups brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter over medium heat until combined. Cool slightly. Stir in remaining 3 eggs and 1 tsp vanilla; lightly beat with a wooden spoon. Stir in the remaining 1 1/4 cups flour and chocolate.

3. Set aside 3/4 cup oats mixture; press remaining in pan. Spread filling top with cherries, dot with reserved oats mixture and sprinkle with nuts.
Bake for 25 minutes until top is light brown and filling is moist. Cool on rack 1 hour.
Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

4. Lift from pan and cut with serrated knife. Store covered at room temperature.

Yield: 25 Bars

Nutrition Information

Calories280
Total Fat (g)13
Saturated Fat (g)6
Monounsaturated Fat (g)5
Polyunsaturated Fat (g)1
Cholesterol (mg)54
Sodium (mg)124
Carbohydrate (g)40
Total Sugar (g)26
Fiber (g)2
Protein (g)4
Vitamin A (DV%)0
Vitamin C (DV%)1
Calcium (DV%)4
Iron (DV%)10
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.