Chocolate Cherry Cake Squares

Directions

1. 1
   Toss fresh or frozen cherries and any juices with granulated sugar and almond extract in a bowl and let stand at least 2 hours.
2. 2
   Drain cherries, reserving 1/2 cup cherry juices.
3. 3
   Preheat oven to 350F.
4. 4
   Butter and flour a 13- by 9-inch metal baking pan, knocking out excess flour.
5. 5
   Whisk hot water and cocoa powder in a small bowl until smooth, then whisk in reserved cherry juices and vanilla.
6. 6
   Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt into another bowl.
7. 7
   Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes, then add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
8. 8
   Add flour mixture and cocoa mixture alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and mixing at low speed until blended (batter may look curdled).
9. 9
   Stir in cherries and chocolate chips and pour batter into pan, smoothing top.
10. 10
    Bake in middle of oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
11. 11
    Cool cake completely in pan on a rack, then cut into squares.
12. 12
    Just before serving, dust with confectioners sugar.