Coconut Cherry Bars

Steps

• 1

  Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
• 2

  In large bowl, place cake mix. Cut in butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through mix in opposite directions), until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside 3/4 cup crumb mixture. Add egg to remaining crumb mixture in bowl, stirring just until blended. Press mixture in bottom of pan. Bake 15 minutes or until light golden brown around edges.
• 3

  Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix coconut, almonds and reserved crumb mixture; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave preserves on High 45 to 60 seconds or until warm and slightly melted. Stir in dried cherries and almond extract. Spoon warm preserves over partially baked crust. Sprinkle with reserved coconut mixture.
• 4

  Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden. Cool on cooling rack 1 hour. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.