Make the Bars

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, almond flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, and lemon zest.
3. Incorporate Butter: Add the room-temperature butter and mix until fully combined with the dry ingredients. You can use a spatula or your hands until no butter chunks remain.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, almond extract, and lemon juice. Stir until a soft, sticky dough forms, similar to cookie dough.
5. Prep Cherries: In a separate bowl, mix the pitted cherries with 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Set aside.
6. Prepare Pan: Line a 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
7. Layer Dough: Spread half the dough evenly in the bottom of the pan.
8. Add Cherries: Pour the cherry mixture over the dough, spreading it evenly.
9. Top with Dough: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the cherries, then use your hands to spread it out and flatten. If the dough is sticky, lightly flour your hands.
10. Bake: Bake for about 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown. It might take up to an hour depending on your pan and oven.
11. Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.

Make the Glaze

1. Mix Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine sifted powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract.
2. Adjust Consistency: If the glaze is too thick, add more milk a little at a time. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
3. Drizzle: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars. Optionally, sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Storage and Serving

1. Storage: Keep the bars in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving to soften up.