These festive cherry spice cookie bars are made easy with a box of spice cake mix.

Cherry Spice Bars

1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries
1 (18.25-ounce) package spice cake mix
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
2 large eggs

Glaze:
1 cup confectioners' (powdered) sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 teaspoons milk

1. Drain maraschino cherries; discard juice or save for another use. Cut cherries in half. Combine dry cake mix, melted butter, brown sugar, water and eggs in a large mixing bowl; mix with a spoon or electric mixer until well combined and smooth. Stir in maraschino cherries. Spread batter into a greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
2. Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until top springs back when lightly touched. Let cool in pan on wire rack.
3. For Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar and lemon juice; add enough milk to make a thick glaze. Drizzle glaze over cake. Allow glaze to set. Cut into bars. Store, up to one week, in an airtight container with sheets of waxed paper between each layer of bars.

Makes 2 dozen bars.

Recipe and photograph are provided courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute.