Shirley Temple Bars

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder

Frosting

• 4 oz package cream cheese
• ¼ cup butter, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons Grenadine syrup
• 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
• 1-1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×9-inch baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar and eggs until smooth, then mix in vanilla and lime zest.
3. In a small bowl, sift together the remaining dry ingredients until well combined.
4. Slowly add dry ingredients and chopped cherries into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 16-18 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow bars to fully cool.
6. Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in remaining ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.
7. Spread frosting on cooled bars and chill until ready to serve.