Christmas Gumdrop Bars

Ingredients

 * 1 1/2 	cup  	all-purpose flour
 * 1 	tsp 	baking powder
 * 1/2 	tsp 	salt
 * 1 	tsp 	Ground cinnamon
 * 1/8 	tsp 	Ground nutmeg
 * 1/8 	tsp 	Ground mace
 * 1/3 	cup 	vegetable shortening, soft
 * 1 	cup 	Packed light brown sugar
 * 1 		Large egg
 * 2 	tsp 	vanilla extract
 * 1/4 	cup 	evaporated milk
 * 1 	cup 	Gumdrops, no licorice
 * 1/2 	cup 	black walnuts, chopped
 * confectioner's sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Sift flour with baking powder, salt and spices. Set aside. Place shortening, brown sugar, egg and vanilla into large bowl. Use an electric mixer set at medium speed to beat mixture until light and fluffy. Add half the flour mixture and the evaporated milk and beat until smooth. Stir in remaining flour mixture until well combined. Add gumdrops and coarsely chopped walnuts (or pecans), mixing well. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Remove pan to wire rack and cool partially. Cut into bars while still warm. Sprinkle lightly with sifted confectioner's sugar.
 * Yield: about 20 bars.