Easy Cherry Crumb Bars

Oatmeal cookie mix speeds prep time for these tart cherry bar cookies.

Makes: 16 servings

Yield: 16 bars

Prep 20 mins

Bake 45 mins

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
1 17 1/2 - ounce package oatmeal cookie mix
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 16 - ounce package frozen unsweetened pitted tart red cherries, thawed and drained
1/4 cup sugar
1 recipe Powdered Sugar Icing

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil over edges of pan. Lightly coat foil with cooking spray; set pan aside.
• Place cookie mix in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Remove 1 cup of the mixture for topping. Stir egg, vanilla, and almond extract into the remaining crumb mixture until combined. Press mixture evenly onto the bottom of the prepared baking pan. In a medium bowl stir together cherries and sugar; spoon evenly over mixture in pan. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture.
• Bake about 45 minutes or until topping is golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Drizzle with Powdered Sugar Icing. Let stand until icing is set. Using the edges of the foil, lift uncut bars out of pan. Cut into bars.

To Store: Place bars in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 

                3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.