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Almond Cherry Squares

I volunteered to bring dessert to a church activity for 8 to 11 year old girls last week and was racking my brain for yummy summer treats.  So I dug through my recipe files to find this perfect gem. I hadn’t made the little beauties for years, but I was so glad that I had, and the recipe is now chilling on the top of the pile so it won’t be forgotten again.
I’m usually a fresh-cherries-only-type-of-gal, but these tasty morsels force me to make a definite exception to my rule.  There are no actual almonds involved…only almond extract, which lends a subtle, irresistible flavor to the bars, cherry topping, and glaze.  The cherries are little tasty treasures nestled into a soft, sweet, and heavenly shortbread-like base.
It’s a very visually-pleasing, crowd-pleasing confection.  I had multiple requests for the recipe, and was nearly attacked on my way out the doors by mobs of boy scouts who were after the meager remains. 🙂
Needless to say, the pan came home empty.
 
{ALMOND CHERRY SQUARES}
 
1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1/2 t. almond extract
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3 c. flour
Cherry Topping
1 can cherry pie filling
1/2 t. almond extract
Glaze
1 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 T. milk
1/2 t. almond extract
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time, beating after each one.  Add almond extract, vanilla, baking powder and salt and mix slightly.  Add flour, one cup at a time, mixing after each.
Spread on a greased big cookie sheet.  Stir together cherry pie filling and almond extract in a bowl.  Spoon over batter in the cookie sheet.  If you aren’t a fan of whole cherries, you can just spoon the cherry syrup over the top.  Bake at 375 for around 25 minutes, or until a golden color.
While it’s baking, stir together powdered sugar, milk and almond extract in a bowl.  Drizzle over immediately after bringing the pan out of the oven.
Let cool, then cut into squares.
Enjoy!
 


Linked up at Cheerios & Lattes and What’s Cooking with Ruthie, Flamingo Toes, I Heart Naptime

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Comments

  1. Grr...the boy scouts. For some reason it irritates me to no end when they beg for my leftovers, so I almost always tell them no. Haha. You are a lot nicer than me. :) And they were delicious!

  12. What a fun and lovely blog - found you via the Aloha Friday Blog Hop. I am now following your and I look forward to visiting again.

    Have a great weekend!
    Stephanie
    theenchantingrose.blogspot.com

  14. Hi my name is Ashley and I am stopping by from the Aloha Friday Blog Hop. I am a Creative Graphics & Web Designer as well as an avid blogger. We would love it if you would stop by our blog/website at: www.ashleychapmandesigns.com/

    Thanks so much.

    Ashley

  15. Cherry & Almond is such a great combo! I love this idea! If you have time, I would love for you to stop by & link up to my Sweet & Savory Saturdays party: http://dessertnowdinnerlater.blogspot.com/2013/05/sweet-savory-saturdays-15.html

    Hope to see you there!
    ~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!

  17. These bars look fantastic! :) Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this as well as your How to Grill Pineapple post & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by tomorrow & link up your best “man food” recipes in honor of Father’s Day!

  21. Cherries are one of my favorite things and I haven't tried anything like this before. It needs to go on my list. Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend. Best wishes for tasty dishes this week!
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