12 Recipes of Christmas... # 5 Almond Cherry Bars

Almond cherry bars are by far a easy favorite dessert in our home. They are easy, even from scratch. My sister-in-law gave me this recipe a number of years ago, and I have made them many times since. I even did a variation with blueberry pie filling and apple filling instead of cherry pie filling. Perfect every time. I hope you enjoy this recipe, & happy baking!

Almond Cherry Bars

1 3/4 cup sugar

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 eggs

3 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

Cream together sugar and butter, add vanilla and eggs. Combine flour and baking powder and add to creamed butter mixture. Spread 2/3 mixture into a greased and floured cake pan, large cookie sheet, or jelly roll pan. Spread filling on top. Drop by teaspoonsfuls the last 1/3 of dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes, until golden brown and done in the middle. Let cool slightly and top with glaze.

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons of milk

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Mix together and drizzle over cooled cherry bars.