1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This helps prevent the bars from sticking to the pan and makes cleanup a breeze.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer or hand whisk. The creaming process is essential because it incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a tender texture for the bars.

3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla Extract:

Once the butter and sugar are properly creamed, add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures that the eggs are evenly incorporated and helps the batter come together smoothly. Then, add the vanilla extract and beat again. The vanilla will bring a warm, comforting flavor to the batter.

4. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step helps distribute the dry ingredients evenly, ensuring that your bars rise uniformly when baked. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense bars.

5. Assemble the Layers:

Now it’s time to assemble the bars. Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. This layer will form the base of your bars. Next, spoon the cherry pie filling over the batter, spreading it evenly across the top. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to smooth the filling out if needed. Finally, drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherries, leaving a few gaps for the cherry filling to peek through. This creates a lovely marbled effect once baked.

6. Bake the Bars:

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the batter has set. The bars should be firm to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The edges may begin to pull away from the pan slightly, which is a good indicator that they’re done.

7. Let the Bars Cool:

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the Cherry Bars cool completely in the pan. Allowing them to cool in the pan ensures that the structure of the bars remains intact. This is also the perfect time to prepare the glaze.

8. Prepare the Glaze:

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract. Keep adding milk a little at a time until the glaze reaches your desired consistency. If you like a thicker glaze, use less milk. If you prefer a thinner glaze, add a little more milk. Whisk until the glaze is smooth and lump-free.

9. Drizzle the Glaze:

Once the bars have cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. You can use a spoon to drizzle the glaze in a zigzag pattern or just pour it over the bars for a more rustic look. Let the glaze set for about 10 minutes before slicing the bars into squares.