Fruitcake Bar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon rum extract or brandy extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 8 ounces pitted dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup candied fruit, chopped
• 1/2 cup candied red cherry, quartered
• 3/4 cup pecans, chopped or walnuts
• candied cherries, for garnish (red and green)
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (more if necessary)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. 2

   Grease and flour a 13x9x2-inch pan. (Or spray with nonfat cooking spray).

3. 3

   In a small bowl, blend flour, salt, soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.

4. 4

   In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and eggs at medium speed until light and fluffy. Mix in rum or brandy extract.

5. 5

   Stir in flour, dates, candied fruits, 1/2 cup cherries and nuts. Spread in prepared pan and bake 30 minutes until golden. Cool on wire rack, in pan.

6. 6

   In the meantime, prepare the frosting by mixing together sugar and milk. Stir until smooth; then cover with a damp cloth until ready to use.

7. 7

   When cake has cooled, frost, suing a spatula.

8. 8

   Cut into 2 x 1-inch bars and decorate with red and green candied cherries. Store in a covered container, with pieces of wax paper between layers.