Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Make the Batter : In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition. Next, blend in the vanilla extract.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Slowly introduce the flour mixture into the butter mixture, stirring gently until everything is barely combined.

Assemble the Bars: Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Spread the cherry pie filling over the batter, making sure it’s evenly distributed. It’s okay if some cherry filling shows through; this will give a beautiful marbled effect when baked.

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Prepare the Glaze (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cherry bars for added sweetness and decoration.

Cut and Serve: Once the bars have cooled and the glaze has set, cut them into squares. Serve and enjoy!