Black Forest Shortbread Bars

I found this recipe on the General Mills Food Services website. Which means it was huge. Huge!! It called for 6 pounds of brownie mix, people.  So, I scaled it down just a tiny bit.  Actually, I fiddled with the recipe quite a lot, so it isn't exactly a half recipe.  A shortbread crust topped with a cherry studded brownie layer, and drizzled all over with vanilla frosting. Regardless of the size (which is now significantly smaller), these bars are completely easy and super delicious, and so pretty! 

Black Forest Shortbread Bars

1 box (18.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
1 box (19.5 ounces) brownie mix, and ingredients called for on the box
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
1/2 cup vanilla frosting

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease a half sheet pan (13x18).

For the crust, beat together the cake mix and the butter until crumbly.  Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.  Set aside.

For the brownies, prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions.  Spread the brownie batter evenly on top of the crust.  Drop the cherry pie filling in spoonfuls over the brownie batter.  Use a knife to swirl the cherry filling through the brownie batter (be careful to not gouge the crust layer).  

Place the bars in the preheated oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the brownies are done in the center.  Remove from the oven and cool completely.  Warm up the vanilla frosting until it is a pourable consistency.  Drizzle the frosting over the cooled bars.  Let the frosting set before cutting.  Makes about 48 bars.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy