• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and shortening on high until smooth and well combined. Add the sugar, baking powder and salt, and completely combine. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour and thoroughly combine. Set aside 1 1/4 cups of the dough for the topping.
• Press the remaining dough into an ungreased 9 X 13-inch baking pan. Bake for 12 minutes. The edges will be lightly golden, and the middle will be underdone, but not to worry, you're going to bake them again.
• Gently spread the cherry pie filling over the entire crust. Drop the remaining dough in mounds over the filling.
• Bake for about 30 minutes until golden brown. Place pan on a baking rack to cool for 10 minutes before glazing.

Powdered Sugar Glaze

• in a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract. If needed, add 1 teaspoon of milk until glaze is of a consistency where it can be drizzled.
• Using a spoon, evenly distribute the glaze over the top of the bars after they've sat for 10 minutes on the wire rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.