Cranberry Nut Bars

1 1/4 C. flour

3/4 C sugar

1/2 C butter

1 C finely chopped nuts, I used pecans or macadamias

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 1/4 cup sugar

2 Tbls milk

1 tsp finely shredded orange peel; I used lemon because I had it.

1 tsp vanilla

1 C finely chopped cranberries

1/2 C coconut

 Preheat oven to 350 deg., in medium mixing bowl, stir together flour

and 3/4 C sugar.  Using pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture

resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in 1/2 C of the nuts.  Press flour

mixture into bottom of ungreased 13x9x2 " baking pan.  Bake for 10 to

15 min. until crust is light brown around edges.

Meanwhile, in mixing bowl, beat eggs, 1 1/4 cups sugar, milk, orange

peel (lemon peel) and vanilla.  Pour over hot crust.  Sprinkle with

remaining nuts, cranberries and coconut.  Bake for 30 min. or until

golden.  Cool slightly in pan on wire rack.  Cut into bars while warm. 

Cool completely in pan.  I baked the crust for 15 mins and it seemed

like a little too long so will try 10-12 mins. next time.  I also found

ground lemon peel in the spice dept.; it is easier than shredding the peel.

Remarks: My sister  Nancy made these for a family Christmas party.  The recipe came from our friend Wanda who often serves these in Forida during the holidays.  They are fantastic!