Cooking Thursday

Bob loves anything with cherries, so when I saw this recipe I knew I should try it.  We weren't disappointed!  These bars are pretty, and very tasty.  The almond base reminds me a little of poundcake and the cherry pie filling really goes well with it.  Yum!

Cherry Bar Dessert

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling

Glaze:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
 2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Gradually add flour.
Spread 3 cups batter into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. (Batter will be stiff) Spread pie filling over top.
Drop remaining batter by teaspoonfuls over filling.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, mix confectioners’ sugar, extracts and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Drizzle over top.