Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add milk, shortening, egg, and vanilla; stir just until combined. Fold in cherries and pour into the greased pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until the center springs back when lightly pressed. Cool 15 minutes. Cut into 6 rectangles and serve warm from the pan with warm milk to pour over, if desired.
