Chocolate Cherry Bars

x-tinymce/html Chocolate Cherry Bars Ingredients: 2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. quick cooking oats 1 ½ c. granulated sugar 1 ¼ c. unsalted butter, softened 1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling 1 tsp. almond extract ¼ c. semisweet chocolate chips ¾ tsp. shortening Directions: In a medium-sized bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar and butter until crumbly. Reserve 1 ½ c. for topping. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9-inx13-in baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. In a small bowl, stir together the pie filling and almond extract. Gently spread the filling over the still warm crust. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top and return to the oven to bake for 25 more minutes. Edges and topping will be lightly browned. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave and stir until smooth. Drizzle over the warm bars. Cool on a wire rack.