But let’s face it. We don’t need a holiday to indulge in some chocolate. This is a recipe – Chocolate Cherry Bars – I have had for years. It came in a little Hershey’s cookbook I grabbed from the grocery store back when the Internet was new and I actually needed a cookbook to try out new and delicious recipes.  It is rich and delicious. Whenever I take them to an event, I’m always asked for the recipe.  So, go ahead.  Try them.  You will not regret it.Chocolate Cherry Bars

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa or HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1-1/2 cups plus 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/3 cup chopped almonds
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup HERSHEY’S MINI KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates (I just use semisweet chocolate chips)
• 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Generously grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
2. Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat; stir in cocoa until smooth. Remove from heat. Add sugar, 3 eggs, 1-1/2 cups flour and almonds; mix well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together remaining 1 egg, remaining 1/3 cup flour, sweetened condensed milk and almond extract. Pour over baked layer; sprinkle chocolates and cherries over top. Return to oven.
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until set and edges are golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate until cold, 6 hours or overnight. Cut into bars. Cover; refrigerate leftover bars. About 48 bars.