Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add softened butter and vanilla extract, then mix until the texture is crumbly. Press about two-thirds of the mixture into the baking dish to form the crust.
Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine cherry pie filling with cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract. Mix until smooth and well blended.
Assemble the Bars: Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture on top as a crumble.
Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Cool and Serve: Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
Serving and Storage Tips
