Chocolate cherry bars is a crunchy almonds and chocolate chips. I took them to a church supper and everyone wanted the recipe. Some people said the sweet treats reminded them of chocolate-covered cherries. From Tina Dierking of Skohegan Maine.

Ingredients 

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1 cup cold butter

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped almonds

Method 

In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar and cocoa. Cut in butter until the mixture is crumbly. 

Add egg and almond extract until blended. Set aside 1 cup for topping.

Press remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan.

Carefully top with pie filling. Combine chocolate chips, almonds and reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over pie filling.

Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool; refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars. Yield: 3 dozen.