- 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 cup mixed nuts, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, halved
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- FROSTING:
- 1/4 cup butter (no substitutes)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Stir in nuts, cherries and chocolate chips. Spread into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Add milk and vanilla. Remove from the heat; beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Frost warm bars. Cool on a wire rack before cutting.