Instead of making a cherry pie, make these cherry pie bars. It's easier and just as good. Serve with ice cream while they are still warm, if desired.
1 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
¼ t. almond extract
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. salt
42 oz. cherry pie filling
glaze:
1 c. powdered sugar
½ t. vanilla extract
1 t. almond extract
2-3 T. milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 15x10x1 inch or a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Cream together butter and sugar; add eggs, beat well; beat in extracts.
In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt; add to the creamed mixture. Mix until combined.
Spread 3 cups of batter in the baking pan. Spread with pie filling. Drop remaining batter on top of pie filling.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes clean. If using the 9x13 inch pan, the cooking time will be at least 35 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack. Combine glaze ingredients and drizzle over the bars.