2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. solid shortening
3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. maraschino cherries (drained and chopped)
1 c. peanuts or salted mixed nuts (chopped)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 15x10 inch jelly roll pan.

Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.

In large bowl, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips, cherries, nuts and icing. Blend at medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips, cherries and nuts. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until lightly browned.

ICING:

2 c. powdered sugar
2 tbsp. butter, softened
2 to 3 tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 sq. unsweetened chocolate, melted

In small bowl, combine icing ingredients; blend until smooth. Spread over warm bars. Drizzle with melted chocolate if desired. Cool; cut into bars. About 3 dozen bars.