Pineapple Dream Bars

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 1/3 cups flour
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon rum extract
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries

Preheat oven ot 350. In medium mixer bowl, beat butter and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Blend in 1 cup flour until mixture is crumbly. Pat into bottom of 13X9 inch baking pan. Bake in preheated oven 10-15 minutes or until golden. Keep oven hot, but remove pan to cool.

Drain pineapple well. In large bowl, beat eggs with remaining 2/3 cup brown sugar until thick. In small bowl, combine remaining 1/3 cup flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir dry ingredients and extract into egg mixture. Fold in pineapple, coconut, nuts and cherries. Spread over baked crust and bake 30 minutes longer. Cool slightly on wire rack before cutting into bars.

Serves: 18 bars

Source: epicurious.com

Prepared by: Lena for the May 2013 meeting.