Chocolate Cherry Bars

A great, chocolatey dessert. Prep or cook time does not include chilling time.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 30

Ingredients

• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  unsweetened baking cocoa
• 1  cup  cold butter
• 1  egg, slightly beaten
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
• 2  cups  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1  cup  chopped  almonds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13" x 9" baking pan.
2. In mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cocoa. Cut in butter with pastry mixer or fork until crumbly. Add egg and almond extract until blended; set aside 1 cup of this mixture for topping.
3. Press remaining crumb mixture into the prepared 13"x9" inch pan. Carefully top evenly with pie filling.
4. Combine chocolate chips and almonds, with the 1 cup reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over pie filling.
5. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
6. Cool then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.