These festive red and white bars are bursting with fresh Ontario Chilled and Pitted Cherries, white chocolate and coconut. Stock your freezer with Ontario Red Tart Cherry pails to make these treats year-round. Make sure to drain the cherries well by using a sieve and patting cherries dry on paper towels.

1/2 cup	butter	125 mL
1/4 cup	white chocolate chips	50 mL
1 cup	granulated sugar	250 mL
1/2 tsp	almond extract	2 mL
2	eggs	2
1 cup	all-purpose flour	250 mL
1/2 tsp	baking powder	2 mL
1 cup	thawed, well-drained Ontario Chilled and Pitted Cherries, halved	250 mL
1/2 cup	flaked coconut	125 mL

In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Remove from heat; add chips and stir until melted. Stir in sugar and extract; add eggs, one at a time, beating until well blended. In small bowl, combine flour and baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture. Fold in cherries and coconut. Pour into lightly greased 8-inch (20-cm) square pan. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

Makes 9 servings.