White Christmas Cherry Bars in a Jar

� cup white chocolate or vanilla chips
� cup chopped pecans, toasted and cooled completely
� cup sweetened dried cherries or cranberries
� cup packed light brown sugar (see cook's note)
1 cup biscuit & baking mix
� cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup biscuit & baking mix

In 1-quart wide-mouth glass jar, gently layer and pack ingredients in the order listed, beginning with white chocolate chips. If there is any space left after adding the last ingredient, add more white chocolate chips to fill the jar. Place lid on top. Cut an 8-inch circle of fabric to cover lid. Place fabric over lid; secure in place with ribbon or raffia. Decorate as desired.

Cook's note: After measuring the brown sugar, crumble it between your fingers for uniform texture. Be sure to pack the brown sugar firmly in the jar to prevent the baking mix from sifting down through it.

Make a gift card to attach as follows:

To make White Christmas Cherry Bars: Empty contents of jar into medium bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted; 1 large egg; and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Press into an 8x8x2-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 22 minutes or until bars are golden brown and center is almost set.

Makes 16 bars.