Recipe: Shortbread Cherry Bars

Shortbread Cherry Bars
rec.food.recipes/beckpal (1998)

I got this from my husband's grandmother years ago, and it's been a holiday tradition since. I couldn't begin to count how many batches I end up making to keep everyone happy!

For the shortbread crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
3 tablespoons powdered sugar

For the topping:
2 eggs -- slightly beaten
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup nuts -- chopped
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup maraschino cherries -- quartered

Preheat oven to 350. With hands mix flour, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread thin with fingers in an 8x8x2 inch pan. Bake 25 minutes. Stir remaining ingredients into eggs. Spread over top of cooked pastry. Bake approximately 25 minutes. Cool, cut into bars.

NOTES: A simple, scrumptious holiday treat!