Cherry Pie Bars

3 cups flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teas. salt
1 1/2 c. cold butter, cubed
2 cans cherry pie filling (21 oz. cans)
3/4 c. chopped pecans

Topping:
1 cup Powdered sugar
4-5 teas. milk
1/4 teas. almond extract

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line 13 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper, allowing edges to extend over the sides.
3. Combine dry ingredients in medium size bowl. using a mixer or pastry blender, blend in cold butter until mixture is well blended and crumbly.
4. Reserve 1 cup for topping. Press remaining mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
5. Bake until lightly brown, about 25 minutes.
6. Spread pie filling over crust in pan.
7. Toss together remaining pie filling and chopped pecans. Sprinkle mixture on top of pie filling.
8. Bake an additional 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
9. Cool completely.
*10. At this point you may lift it out of the pan or leave it in the pan for transport.
11. Combine topping mixture. Drizzle over top of bars.

Makes approx. 36-48 bars