by Susan Pyle
Crust
2 cups flour
2 cups oats
1½ cups sugar
1¼ cup butter, softened
Filling
1 can cherry pie filling (21 oz)
1 tsp almond extract
Glaze
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp shortening
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all crust ingredients. Beat at low speed until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 1 ½ cup crust mixture until later. Press remaining mixture in 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned. Meanwhile, stir together cherry pie filling and almond extract. Spread filling over hot, partially-baked crust. Sprinkle with reserved crust mixture. Continue baking 27 to 32 minutes or until light brown. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in microwave or over low heat until melted. Drizzle glaze over cherry bars. Cool and cut.
*Note: I like more cherry filling than one can, so I use two, and also double the almond extract.—Susan
