DOUBLE CHERRY-NUT BARS

1 cup sugar
1 cup shortening
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 eggs
2 cups Gold Medal all-purpose
1 cup toasted slivered almonds
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped with 2 tablespoons liquid reserved
1 package Fruit Corners Fruit Roll-ups cherry chewy fruit snack rolls
Cherry Glaze (recipe follows)

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease jelly roll pan, 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch.

Beat sugar, shortening, almond extract and eggs until light and fluffy. Mix in flour. Stir in almonds and cherries. Spread in pan. Carefully place fruit rolls over batter, cutting to fit.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light brown. Cool 20 minutes; drizzle with Cherry Glaze. Cool; cut into about 2 x 1 1/2-inch bars with knife dipped in hot water.

CHERRY GLAZE

Beat 1 cup powdered sugar, the reserved cherry liquid and 1 teaspoon almond extract until smooth.

Makes 49 bars
From: Recipelink.com
Source: Recipe booklet: Contest Winners, Betty Crocker Creative Recipes, No. 66, February 1992