Cherry Macaroon Bars

Yield: 25 bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 (10 ounce) package (3 3/4 cups) sweetened coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 egg whites
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 13 red or green maraschino cherries, halved and drained

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 9 inch square baking pan.
2. Stir together crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and melted butter. Press onto bottom of prepared pan.
3. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven; leave oven on.
4. Stir together coconut, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, flour and salt. Add egg whites, egg and almond extract. Spread mixture over crumb mixture; press in cherry halves.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until lightly browned around edges.
6. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cover; cut into bars.