Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars Recipes

CHRISTMAS MARASCHINO CHERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Mix flour and salt, set aside. Cream 1 cup unsalted softened butter with 1/2 cup powdered sugar, mix in vanilla. Add flour and salt mixture and mix until it starts forming larger clumps. Mix in chocolate chips and maraschino cherries. Form the dough into the log and press it well or it will crumble when you slice the cookies (the log should be about 2 inch thick) Wrap it in the plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hour. Preheat the oven to 325°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the log into 1/4 or 1/3 inch thick slices (if the slices crumbles, press it back together with your hands) and place them onto baking sheet with one inch of space between. Bake the cookies 10- 15 minutes (until they just start to turn lightly golden brown on top) Let them cool for 5 minutes on a baking sheet before transfer them to a rack to cool completely.

CHERRY SHORTBREAD BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch pan with heavy aluminum foil.
• Mix flour, 1 cup butter, and white sugar together until mixture is crumbly. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
• Blend brown sugar, eggs, salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract together in a bowl. Drain and chop cherries, reserving the liquid. Stir cherries and walnuts into the egg mixture. Place mixture on top of the baked crust.
• Return to the oven and bake until set, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Combine powdered sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with enough cherry liquid to spread easily. Frost cooled bars. Cut into squares after icing has set.