Chocolate Cherry Crumb Bars

Chocolate Cherry Crumb Bars(Adapted from MS Cookies)

1 1/4 cups dried cherries, chopped coarsely
2/3 cup water
2 1/2 sticks butter, set aside 2 tablespoons and cut the rest into small cubes
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dutch cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, lightly toasted
2 cups plus 7 1/2 teaspoons flour
1 egg
2 tablespoons kirsch
1/2 cup good quality chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350

Line a 9" square pan with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Place cherries, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup sugar and 2/3 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has been almost all absorbed - about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup sugar. Let cool, giving a few stirs, until sugar has dissolved.

In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, salt, brown sugar, toasted coconut, and 2 cups flour. With a pastry blender, mix in the remaining cubed butter until it resembles coarse meal. Measure 3 lightly packed cups cocoa mixture and press into the lined 9" pan. Bake until just set, about 18-20 minutes.

Place egg, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and kirsch into an electric mixer bowl. Mix on medium-high speed with the whisk attachment until pale, about 4 minutes. Gently fold in the cherry mixture and the remaining 2 1/2 teaspoons flour. Stir in chocolate chunks. Spread this mixture evenly over the set crust and then top with the reserved crumb cocoa mixture.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean - a few crumbs attached is okay - about 50 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Carefully remove from the pan by lifting out the foil. Cut into bars - we did 16 and they were generous portions.