Choco-Cherry Layered Bars

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

Title: Choco-Cherry Layered Bars
Categories: Cookies
Yield: 48 servings

3/4 c Powdered sugar
3/4 c Margarine, softened
2 oz Semi-sweet chocolate, melted
1 1/2 c Flour
1/2 ts Baking powder
1/4 ts Salt
1 tb Milk
Topping:
1/2 c Maraschino cherries
4 c Powdered sugar
1/2 c Margarine, sotened
1/2 ts Rum extract
3 oz Cream cheese, softened
1 oz Semi-sweet chocolate, melted

1. Heat oven to 325*. Grease 13X9 inch pan.
2. In large bowl, beat 3/4 cup powdered sugar and 3/4 cup margarine
until light and fluffy. Add 2 oz melted chocolate; blend well. Lightly
spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour, baking powder, salt
and milk to margarine mixture; blend well. Press dough in bottom of
prepared pan.
3. Bake 325* for 15 - 20 minutes or until center is set. Cool
completely.
4. Chop cherries; drain well, reserving 2-3 tablespoons cherry juice.
In large bowl, combine 4 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup margarine, reserved
cherry juiice, rum extract and cream cheese; beat until smooth. Stir in
cherries.
5. Spread topping evenly over cooled bars. Drizzle 1 oz melted
chocolate over topping.
6. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before cutting into bars. 48 bars.
NOTE: These bars have a chocolate shortbread-like crust with a
creamy cherry filling. They can be baked in advance and frozen to save
time.
Source: Pillsbury's Party Time Recipes

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