CHOCOLATE CHERRY BARS

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup dried tart cherries or cranberries
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Using electric mixer, beat butter, sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until well blended. Mix in egg and almond extract. Beat in flour mixture. Mix in oats, then chocolate chips, cherries and almonds. Spread mixture in the prepared pan.

Bake for 20 minutes. Cool 20 minutes before cutting.

Makes 30 squares
Source: Derby Start to Finish by Sarah Fritschner