Cherry Shortbread Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Cherry filling:

2 cups pitted tart red cherries
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 cup cornstarch

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Spray a square 8" baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
3. In a medium pan, stir together cherries, water and lemon juice.
4. In a small bowl stir together 1/4 cup sugar and corn starch.
5. Once the cherries begin to release their juice, bubble and break down, stir in sugar and cornstarch mixture.
6. Cook cherry mixture another 10 to 15 minutes until they thicken.
7. while cherries cool a bit. In a large mixing bowl, stir together butter and sugar. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and stir with a fork until the mixture resembles crumbs.
8. Reserve 3/4 cup of mixture.
9. Press remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of prepared pan.
10. Spread cherry filling over the crust.
11. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over cherries.
12. Bake bars for 23 to 25 minutes OR until the top is golden.
13. Cool completely before cutting.