SWEET CHERRY BLONDIES

1 1/3 cups flour (plus small amount for cherries)
1 1/3 cups light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Bake at 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch baking pan.

Combine the 1 1/3 cups flour, brown sugar, oil, eggs, baking powder, vanilla, and salt; mix on low speed of electric mixer until blended. Mix for one minute on medium speed. Batter will be thick.

Spread half of batter in prepared pan.

Toss cherries in small amount of flour. Scatter cherries over batter; spread remaining batter over cherries. Sprinkle pecans over top.

Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on rack and cut into 16 pieces.

CHOCOLATE CHIP VARIATION:
Sprinkle one-half cup chocolate chips over batter with pecans.

Yield: 16 servings
Source: Washington State Fruit Commission