Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cherry Pie Bars offer all the flavor of cherry pie in a convenient, sliceable bar form. The soft, cake-like crust doubles as both the base and topping, while the cherry filling adds bright, fruity contrast. They’re easy to transport, great for potlucks, bake sales, or holiday gatherings, and can be made with canned or homemade filling.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Cherry pie filling
- Optional: almond extract, powdered sugar for glaze
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract (and almond extract if using).
- Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
- Spread about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling over the dough, spreading gently to cover.
- Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the cherry layer, leaving some gaps.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars.
- Optional: Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk once cooled.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 20–24 bars. Prep time is 15 minutes, bake time is 35–40 minutes, and cooling time is about 1 hour. Total time: approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Variations
- Fresh Cherry Filling: Use a homemade cherry compote made with fresh or frozen cherries.
- Cherry Almond Bars: Add almond extract to the dough and top with sliced almonds before baking.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend suitable for baking.
- Lemon Glaze: Mix lemon juice with powdered sugar for a tangy topping.
- Chocolate Cherry Bars: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for an extra indulgent treat.
Storage/Reheating
Store cherry pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, microwave individual bars for 10–15 seconds or enjoy chilled. These bars also freeze well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cherry filling?
Yes, homemade cherry compote or pie filling works perfectly in this recipe.
Do I need to refrigerate the bars?
Only if keeping for more than 2 days. Otherwise, they’re fine at room temperature in an airtight container.
Can I make these bars in advance?
Absolutely. They’re great for make-ahead and actually taste better the next day.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, double the ingredients and bake in a larger sheet pan. Adjust baking time as needed.
What’s the best way to cut them cleanly?
Let the bars cool completely and use a sharp knife cleaned between cuts for neat slices.
Can I use other fruit fillings?
Yes, blueberry, apple, raspberry, or peach pie fillings all work well.
Should I line the pan with parchment?
It helps with easy removal, especially if you plan to lift and slice them outside the pan.
Can I make them in a smaller pan?
Yes, but reduce the quantities or increase baking time if using a smaller but deeper dish.
Are these bars very sweet?
They are moderately sweet, balanced by the tartness of the cherry filling.
What texture should the crust have?
The crust is soft, buttery, and slightly cakey—similar to a sugar cookie.
Conclusion
Cherry Pie Bars are an easy, versatile dessert that captures the flavor of traditional cherry pie in a fun, sharable format. With their buttery base, sweet cherry filling, and golden topping, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re baking for a gathering or just want a simple homemade treat, these bars are a delicious solution that you’ll come back to again and again.
PrintCherry Pie Bars
Cherry Pie Bars are a simple and delicious dessert featuring a buttery, cake-like crust layered with sweet cherry pie filling and topped with dollops of golden dough. Perfect for parties or potlucks, they deliver all the flavor of cherry pie in an easy-to-slice format.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes
- Yield: 20–24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- 1/4 tsp vanilla or lemon extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and almond extract if using.
- Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Spread about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Spoon cherry pie filling evenly over the dough.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the top of the cherry filling, leaving some gaps.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and filling is bubbling.
- Let cool completely in the pan.
- Optional: Mix powdered sugar and milk to make a glaze. Drizzle over cooled bars before serving.
Notes
- Let bars cool completely before slicing for clean cuts.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal from the pan.
- Substitute cherry filling with blueberry, apple, or peach for variation.
- Almond extract enhances the cherry flavor but can be omitted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
