CANDIED FRUIT BARS

2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/2 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
3 tbsp granulated sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup red candied cherry halves
1/2 cup green candied cherry halves
1/2 cup chopped dates
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl combine the cookie crumbs, cocoa, and sugar.  Using a pastry blender or two knifes, cut in the butter.  Press the mixture over the bottom and about half an inch up the sides of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.  Sprinkle with the peanut butter chips, both cherries, and dates.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the fruit.  Sprinkle the pecans over the milk pressing them down slightly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes until the edges of the filling are lightly browned and the center is bubbly.  Cool; cover with foil.  Set aside for 8 hours to cool completely before cutting into 36 bars.

 

 This is the file photo.