Cherry-Bright Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

 * 1/2 	cup  	Chopped maraschino cherries, well drained
 * 1/3 	cup 	butter or margarine, softened
 * 3/4 	cup 	Sugar
 * 2 		eggs
 * 2 	tbsp 	light corn syrup
 * 1 	tsp 	almond extract OR 2 tablespoons kirsch (cherry brandy)
 * 1 	tsp 	vanilla extract
 * 2/3 	cup 	all-purpose flour
 * 1/3 	cup 	HERSHEY'S cocoa
 * 1/2 	tsp 	salt
 * 1/4 	tsp 	baking powder
 * 1/3 	cup 	Chopped slivered almonds
 * Additional maraschino cherries, halved (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 9-inch square baking pan. 
 * 2) Lightly press cherries between layers of paper towels to remove excess moisture.
 * 3) In small bowl, beat butter, Sugar and eggs until creamy. 
 * 4) Mix in corn syrup, almond extract and vanilla until well blended.
 * 5) Stir together flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder; add to butter mixture, mixing until well blended.
 * 6) Stir in cherries and almonds; pour batter into prepared pan. 
 * 7) Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.
 * 8) Cool completely in pan on wire rack. 
 * 9) Frost, if desired. 
 * 10) Cut into squares. 
 * 11) Garnish with additional cherries, if desired.
 * 12) About 16 brownies.