Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan (or a 9×13-inch pan for thicker bars).
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy.
Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until a thick, cohesive batter forms. Avoid overmixing.
Assemble the Layers:
Spread approximately 3 cups of the batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. This forms the crust.
Spoon the cherry pie filling over the crust and spread it into a smooth, even layer.
Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls evenly over the cherry filling. It does not need to be perfect—the batter will spread as it bakes.
Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (*Note: If using a 9×13-inch pan, baking time may increase to 40-50 minutes.*)
Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before glazing and cutting.
Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk, one teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the finished glaze over the completely cooled bars. Allow the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.
💡 Pro Tips:
Pan Size: For thicker, more cake-like bars, a 9×13-inch pan works perfectly but requires a longer baking time. Keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick for doneness.
Flavor Twist: Feel free to use other pie fillings like apple, blueberry, or peach for a different flavor.
Texture: For a delightful crunch, sprinkle sliced almonds over the glaze before it sets.
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