Cherry Brandy Blondies

Submitted by queenbeatrice

"These are yummy squares. Very easy to make. If you want a non alcoholic version of this, just use orange juice in place of brandy."

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 60 pieces
• Serves: 60

ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup brandy or 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1 cup chopped almonds, toasted
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

• Glaze

• 1⁄2 cup icing sugar
• 2 tablespoons brandy or 2 tablespoons orange juice

directions

1. In small saucepan, bring brandy to a boil; stir in cherries and almonds.
2. Let cool.
3. Meanwhile, in bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla and almond extract.
4. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture just until combined. Stir in almond and cherry mixture. Scrape into parchment paper-lined 13 x 9 inch (3.5 l) metal cake pan, smoothing top.
5. Bake in 325 degree oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
6. GLAZE: In small bowl, whisk sugar with brandy; brush over bars. Let cool on rack. Cut into bars.