2Measure one cup of graham cracker crumbs (which is one sleeve minus 2 crackers).
3Drain and pack two jars of Maraschino cherries and cut them in half.
4In a bowl, combine 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 2/3 cup of packed brown sugar, 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs, and 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
5Whisk the dry ingredients together.
6Add 1 cup of milk butter to the dry ingredients and combine.
7Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 prepared pan to form the crust.
8Set the pan aside.
9In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of shredded coconut, two cans of sweetened condensed milk (add one now and one later), 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of almond extract, and two bottles of drained and halved maraschino cherries.
10Add two cups of milk chocolate chips to the coconut mixture.
11Pour the coconut mixture onto the crust.
12Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top, measured with your heart.
13Bake in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 45 minutes.
14Remove plastic chew clips from the oven if present.
15After baking, leave the squares in their pan to cool on a wire cooling rack for about an hour.
16Pop them in the fridge to firm up before removing and cutting.
Ingredients
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 jars Maraschino cherries drained and packed
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
0.66 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk butter
4 cups shredded coconut
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 bottles drained and half maraschino cherry
2 cups milk chocolate chips
“measured with your heart” chocolate chips
Equipment
graterbowl9x13 prepared panwire cooling rack
Tips
Wear gloves when cutting cherries to avoid red fingers.
Leave the squares in the pan to cool on a wire rack for about an hour after baking.
Refrigerate the squares to firm them up before cutting.