1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1 /4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1 egg beaten
2 cups fresh or frozen pitted tart or pie cherries (NOT cherry pie filling) lightly drained (reserve 1 cup juice)
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnut, pecans, or hazelnuts)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
In a medium bowl, combine butter or margarine, egg, sour cherries, almond extract, and nuts: add to flour mixture. Stir until just combined.
Bake, uncovered, in an ungreased 9-inch square pan for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cut into squares.
Serve with hot Cherry Sauce and whipped cream or ice cream.
Makes 8 servings.
Cherry Sauce:
1 cup cherry juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine cherry juice, cornstarch, sugar, almond extract, and butter or margarine; cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
