Preheat and melt butter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the 1/2 cup of butter in a 9x9-inch baking pan and set it in the oven to melt.
Mix the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir in 1 cup milk, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp almond extract until just combined.
Assemble the layers: Pour the batter over the melted butter in the pan. Do not stir. Spoon the 21-oz can of cherry pie filling over the batter. Again, do not stir.
Bake until golden: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.