Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9×13-inch pan.

Combine butter, sugar, salt, and almond extract.

Add flour and mix until mixture becomes moist crumbs.

Set aside 2 cups of crumbs for topping.

Press remaining crumbs lightly into greased pan.

Warm preserves and spread evenly over crust.

Mix almond paste into the reserved crumb mixture until crumbly.

Sprinkle topping over preserves; press lightly.

Bake 45 minutes, or until edges and top are lightly browned.

Loosen edges while warm; cool almost completely before slicing.