Cherry Pie Bars

Cherry Pie Bars Serves 24 For the almond brownies 1/2 c. salted butter 2 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 2 eggs, beaten 1 c. flour 1/2 c. almond flour 1 tsp. baking powder For the topping 4 c. cherry pie filling 1/2 c. Amaretti cookies, crushed 2 tbsp. flour 2 tbsp. brown sugar 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 3 tbsp. butter, melted For the almond brownies Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9" x 13" pan with baking spray. In a large saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Add the light brown sugar and cinnamon and stir to combine. All of the liquid should be absorbed. Stir until you notice liquid bubbling around the edges. Remove from heat and pour into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the beaten eggs until completely incorporated. Add the flours and baking powder and stir to combine. Press the mixture into the 9x13 pan evenly and place in the oven. If topping: Bake for 25 minutes or until just set. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. While it is cooling make the amaretti crunch topping if using. If not topping: Bake for 30-35 minutes until fully set. For the topping In a bowl, stir together the crushed Amaretti cookies, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon with a fork. Pour in the melted butter and stir until all of the dry ingredients are moistened. Evenly spoon the pie filling onto the brownies. Sprinkle the amaretti crunch topping on the pie filling. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Allow the brownies to completely cool before serving.