Cherry Bars

My niece, Amy, gave me this recipe she got from my sister, Kay Stone.  I think it was originally a recipe from the 1951 Pillsbury Bake Off from Deanna Thompson, of Alexandria, Minnesota, although I have seen it or versions of it in many other cookbooks, especially community cookbooks. The original recipe calls for coconut; Kay didn’t use it, and neither did I.  Kay, like Myrna, was an award-winning cook whose recipe judgment was right on - both of them are a hard act to follow.  I did try drizzling a little melted chocolate over some of the bars – chocolate cherry bars? We liked these, as did our coffee-time guests.
Cherry Bars

Cookie Base
1 Cup Flour, All-purpose
1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter
Topping
1/4 Cup Flour, All-purpose
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
2 Large Eggs
1/2 Cup Maraschino Cherries -- chopped
1/2 Cup Nuts -- chopped
1/2 Cup Coconut, Shredded -- (optional - my sister didn't use it)
Mix first 3 ingredients together and press into a 9" square pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.
Combine the remaining ingredients and spread over the baked cookie base. Return to the oven and bake 30-40 minutes. Cut in 16 squares.
2010 cost: $2.09 without coconut or 14¢ per bar. $2.21 with coconut.
Per Serving: 176 Calories; 9g Fat (45.0% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 22g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 42mg Cholesterol; 120mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.