Introduction:

This uncomplicated recipe allows you to have a taste of the sugary splendor of cherry bars. These bars are bursting with the sour taste of cherries and they can be taken as either casual snacks or luxurious desserts.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup general purpose flour
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• ¼ cup icing sugar
• 1 cup cherry jam/jelly
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Optional: Flaked almonds for sprinkling on top.

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8×8 inch baking pan.
2. Cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy in a mixing bowl.
3. Mix in flour and salt slowly until well mixed.
4. In order to make crust, press two-thirds of the dough mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
5. Almond extract is added to cherry preserves in another dish.
6. Spread out the cherry mixture evenly over it all.
   Sprinkle almond slices if desired before crumbling remaining dough on top.
7. Bake at 25-30 minutes in preheated oven until edges are golden browned.
8. Make sure that you allow these squares cool completely before cutting them out.