Cherry-Bright Chocolate Brownies

Description

 * Makes about 16 brownies.

Ingredients

 * ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries, well drained
 * ⅓ cup butter or margarine, softened
 * ¾ cup sugar
 * 2 eggs
 * 2 tbsp light corn syrup
 * 1 tsp almond extract or 2 tablespoons kirsch (cherry brandy)
 * 1 tsp vanilla extract
 * ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
 * ⅓ cup Hershey's cocoa
 * ½ tsp salt
 * ¼ tsp baking powder
 * ⅓ cup chopped slivered almonds
 * additional maraschino cherries, halved (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Heat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) Grease and flour 9-inch square baking pan.
 * 3) Lightly press cherries between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.
 * 4) In small bowl, beat butter, sugar and eggs until creamy.
 * 5) Mix in corn syrup, almond extract and vanilla until well blended.
 * 6) Stir together flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder; add to butter mixture, mixing until well blended.
 * 7) Stir in cherries and almonds; pour batter into prepared pan.
 * 8) Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.
 * 9) Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
 * 10) Frost, if desired.
 * 11) Cut into squares.
 * 12) Garnish with additional cherries, if desired.