Cherry Bars for a Crowd

1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp milk
Steps to Make Cherry Bars for a Crowd
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12×17 pan with foil and spray it with non-stick spray. This makes cleanup a breeze and ensures your bars come out perfectly.

2. Cream the butter and sugar together. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a tender and crumbly crust.

3. Add the salt, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix well until everything is combined. The addition of almond extract gives these bars an extra layer of flavor that pairs beautifully with the cherries.

4. Incorporate the flour and baking powder. Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the mixture, blending until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars tough.

5. Reserve 1 3/4 cups of the dough. Set this portion aside. You’ll be using it later to create a delicious topping for your bars.

6. Press the remaining dough into your prepared pan. Use your hands or a spatula to spread it out evenly. This will form the base layer of your cherry bars.

7. Top with cherry pie filling. Spread the cherry pie filling over the dough base, ensuring an even layer. This is where the magic happens, as the cherries bake into the crust, creating a sweet and tart middle layer.

8. Drop the reserved dough over the cherries. Using a spoon, drop small dollops of the reserved dough over the cherry filling. Don’t worry about covering every inch; the dough will spread as it bakes.