Step 1

Make Cherry filling: Add sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract to a saucepan and stir. Add cherries and cook for a few minutes, until sugar is dissolved into a sauce and sauce has slightly thickened. (See notes if using canned or frozen cherries).

Step 2

Melt butter in pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice butter into pieces and add to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place the pan in the oven while it preheats, to allow the butter to melt. Once melted, remove the pan from the oven.

Step 3

Make the batter: In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk, just until combined. Pour the mixture over melted butter in pan and smooth it into an even layer.

Step 4

Bake: Spoon the cherries and sauce mixture over the batter. (the batter will rise up and over the cherries, while baking.) Sprinkle cinnamon generously over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 5

Serve warm, with a scoop of ice cream, if desired.