Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is accessible for bakers of all levels.
Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of sweet cherries and buttery crust is universally appealing, making it a hit at any event.
Versatile: Easily adaptable with different fruit fillings or additional toppings to suit your preferences.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Unsalted butter
Granulated suga
Salt
Large egg
Vanilla extract
Almond extract
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Cherry pie filling
Powdered sugar
Milk

Directions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add flour and baking powder to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined
Assemble the Bars: Spread ⅔ of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Carefully spread the cherry pie filling over the dough. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the cherry filling
Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if necessary.
Glaze the Bars: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars. Allow the glaze to set before cutting into squares.

Servings and Timing

Servings: Approximately 24 bars
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Variations

Different Fruit Fillings: Substitute cherry pie filling with blueberry, raspberry, or apple pie filling for a different flavor profile.
Nutty Addition: Add chopped nuts such as almonds or pecans to the dough or sprinkle on top for added texture and flavor.
Chocolate Drizzle: For a chocolate twist, drizzle melted chocolate over the glazed bars.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store the cherry bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Freezing: To freeze, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating: If you prefer warm bars, heat individual pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

How do I know when the cherry bars are done baking?

The bars are done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Can I use homemade cherry pie filling?

Yes, homemade cherry pie filling can be used and will enhance the flavor of the bars.

Is it necessary to use almond extract?

While almond extract adds a distinct flavor that complements the cherries, you can omit it or substitute with additional vanilla extract if preferred.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

To make gluten-free cherry bars, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.

How should I cut the bars for clean edges?

For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut. Chilling the bars before slicing can also help achieve cleaner edges

Can I add a crumble topping instead of the dough dollops?

Yes, you can reserve some of the dough, mix it with a bit of flour to create a crumbly texture, and sprinkle it over the cherry filling before baking.

What size pan should I use if I don’t have a 15x10x1-inch pan?

You can use a 9×13-inch pan; however, the bars will be thicker and may require additional baking time.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?

Yes, but you’ll need to cook the fresh cherries with sugar and a thickening agent like cornstarch to create a filling consistency similar to pie filling.

How do I prevent the glaze from soaking into the bars?

Ensure the bars are completely cooled before applying the glaze to prevent it from soaking in.

Are these bars suitable for freezing?

Yes, these bars freeze well. Wrap them individually and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months

Conclusion

Cherry Bars are a versatile and delightful dessert that brings the classic flavors of cherry pie into a convenient bar form. Easy to make and customize, they are perfect for any

Cherry Bars

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Cherry Bars are an easy-to-make dessert bar recipe featuring sweet cherry pie filling, a buttery cookie-like crust, and a light almond glaze. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, and weeknight treats, these cherry bars taste just like cherry pie in handheld form.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 20min
Cook Time: 30min
Total Time: 55min
Yield: 24 bars
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch pan or line with parchment paper.
Make Dough: Cream together butter, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and almond extracts.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in flour and baking powder until just combined.
Layer the Bars: Spread ⅔ of the dough into the pan. Evenly spread the cherry pie filling over the dough. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the top.
Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely in the pan.
Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars. Allow glaze to set before slicing.

Notes

Substitute with other fruit fillings like blueberry or apple for variety.
Add chopped almonds or pecans for texture.
Use homemade cherry filling for a richer flavor.
To ensure clean slices, chill the bars before cutting and use a sharp knife.
Bars freeze well up to 3 months; thaw before serving.