CHEWY CHERRY BARS

CRUST:

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup quick cooking or old fashioned oats

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup butter, softened

FILLING:

2 eggs

1 cup lightly packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 tbsn. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 cup coconut

2- 10oz. jars maraschino cherries, drained and coarsely chopped

1/2 cup chopped pecans

For the crust, combine flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda in mixing bowl. cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.

For the filling, beat eggs, brown sugar and vanilla together thoroughly. Combine flour and baking powder; stir into egg mixture, mixing well. Stir in coconut, cherries and pecans. Spread evenly over crust. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool completely. Drizzle with icing , if desired.