Two Sisters' Gems (Cherry Diamonds)
Serves: 16Ingredients:
- 1 5 oz. pkg. dried cherries
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (or frozen orange juice concentrate)
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/3 cups flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (preferably unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put cherries in small saucepan with 1/3 cup water and 1/4 cup of Grand Marnier, and simmer gently 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool in pan. Carefully check for pits, then chop and set aside.
- Blend together butter, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup of flour until crumbly. Pat into bottom of greased 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch square pan. Bake at 350 about 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Bemove from oven. Beat eggs, brown sugar and vanilla until creamy. Sift remaining 1/3 cup flour with baking powder and salt, and blend into egg mixture. Stir in cherries, nuts and coconut. Spread over baked layer. Bake for approximately 30 minutes longer. Cool, then cut into diamonds.