Cherry Chews

Among several of her good points, was the fact that my ex-wife was (and probably still is) a baker of Christmas cookies galore. I hadn't thought about all those Christmas goodies of a bygone day for quite some time, when, out of the blue, the eating of a maraschino cherry called "Cherry Chews" to mind.

I don't recall the recipe (if I ever knew it), but I found one on the web that sounds just about like what she used to make. The cherry chews I remember had pink, almond frosting and maraschino cherry chunks, and they were (what else) chewy - the kind of sugary, chewy-good that will satisfy even the most decadent sweet tooth....

CHERRY CHEWS

1 c. flour
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. rolled oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. butter

Mix above ingredients until crumbly. Pat into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

TOPPING

1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. baking powder
1 c. brown sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 c. coconut
1 c. well drained maraschino cherries cut in half
1/2 c. pecan halves

Mix together and pour over first mixture. Spread evenly with pecans. Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Ice with Cherry Almond Icing when cool.

CHERRY ALMOND ICING:

3 tbsp. soft butter
2 c. icing sugar
2 tbsp. cherry juice
1/4 tsp. almond extract

Add more cherry juice if needed to make icing right consistency.

Recipe via cooks.com.