EASY FRUIT BARS WITH POWDERED SUGAR DRIZZLE

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsps baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract (vanilla is okay if you don't have almond)
3 large eggs
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, well drained
1 pkg (6-oz) semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, almond extract, and eggs.

Stir the nuts, dates, cherries, and chocolate chips into the flour mixture until blended. Spread the dough into the prepared baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until light brown.  Allow to cool and drizzle with powdered sugar drizzle (below), if desired.

Cut into 36 bars.

Powdered Sugar Drizzle:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 tbsps milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix all together and drizzle over bars.

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