Sweet Cherry Blondies

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pitted and halved fresh sweet cherries
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Oil and flour a 9-inch square baking pan.

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, oil, eggs and vanilla extract; mix on low speed of electric mixer until blended. Mix 1 minute on medium speed. Batter will be thick. Spread half of batter in prepared baking pan.

Toss cherries in small amount of flour. Scatter cherries over batter; spread remaining batter over cherries. Sprinkle pecans over top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on rack and cut into 16 pieces.

Makes 16 servings.

Chocolate Chip variation: Sprinkle 1/2 cup chocolate chips over batter with pecans.