Creating these delightful Cherry Pie Bars is straightforward if you follow these steps:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Crust Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until thoroughly combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients until combined.
5. Press the Crust: Take two-thirds of the crust mixture and press it evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the base layer.
6. Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the pitted cherries, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat the cherries with the mixture.
7. Spread Cherry Filling: Evenly distribute the cherry filling over the pressed crust in the baking pan.
8. Add Topping: Crumble the remaining crust mixture on top of the cherries to create a streusel-like topping.
9. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly.
10. Cool Down: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes. Once cooled, you can lift the bars out of the pan and slice them into squares.

With these steps, you’re well on your way to enjoying your own delicious Cherry Pie Bars!