Cherry Eggnog Squares

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup butter
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1/4 teaspoon rum (optional)
• 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons milk

Directions:

Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds. Add 1 cup of the flour, the sugar, 2/3 cup milk, eggs, baking powder, nutmeg, salt and vanilla extract or rum flavoring. Beat 1 minute at medium speed. Beat in remaining flour. Stir in cherries and pecans. Spread in a greased 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan.

Bake 25 minutes. Cool pan on a wire rack.