Recipe: Chipits Cherry Jewel Bars (using nuts, candied cherries and chocolate chips)

CHIPITS CHERRY JEWEL BARS

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar, divided use
3/4 cup margarine, softened
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups salted mixed nuts
1 1/2 cups halved candied cherries
1 (6 ounce) package (1 cup) Chipits semi-sweet chocolate chips (or your favorite brand)

Combine flour with 1/3 cup brown sugar. Cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press mixture evenly and firmly onto bottom of ungreased 15x10-inch (40x30-cm) jelly roll pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat egg slightly in large bowl. Stir in remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar and salt. Add nuts, cherries and chocolate chips. Toss mixture lightly to coat. Spoon fruit mixture evenly over baked layer. Press firmly to adhere layers.

Bake an additional 20 minutes. Cool.

Cut into 1.5x2-inch (3.5x5-cm) bars.