1 (10 ounce) can frozen maraschino cherries, thawed
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (3 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
6 cups chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 (9 inch) round pans.
In a large bowl, combine cherries, cream cheese and whipped topping. Beat until smooth. Add pudding mix and pecans; beat until pudding mixture is combined. Stir all ingredients but cherries until smooth. Pour cherry mixture into prepared pans.
Arrange cherries in a single layer in the middle of small baking pan. Fill and seal the bottom with whipped topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until cherry filling is bubbly and chocolate is firm. Remove from oven and sprinkle with pecans. Cool briefly before cutting into bars.