Cherry Strudel Bars

1/2 C. Butter, softened

1/2 C. shortening

1 3/4 C. Sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3 C. flour

1 21-ounce can cherry pie filling (or any other kind of pie filling)

1 recipe powdered sugar icing (below)

1. Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl beat butter & shortening with an electric mixer on med. speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs & vanilla. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Reserve 1 1/2 C. dough. Spread remaining dough in the bottom of an ungreased 15 x 10 x 1 - inch baking pan.

2. Bake for 12 min. Spread pie filling over crust in pan. Spoon reserved dough into small mounds on top of pie filling.

3. Bake about 30 min. more or until top is light brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 min. Drizzle top with powdered sugar icing. (Recipe Below) Let it cool a little more, then cut into bars to serve.

POWDERED SUGAR ICING:

In a small bowl, combine 1 1/2 C. powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp. vanilla or almond extract, and enough milk (3-4 tsp.) to make a smooth drizzling consistency.

Enjoy dessert! (Feeling frisky? Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side!)