Easy Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Easy Cherry Pie Bars combine a buttery, tender crust with a sweet cherry filling, making a delightful treat for any occasion. They offer all the flavors of a classic cherry pie in a convenient, handheld form.

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 (21 oz) can premium cherry pie filling
• For glaze: 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (for glaze)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
• Milk, as needed (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the eggs, almond extract, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Step 5: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
6. Step 6: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust layer.
7. Step 7: Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry filling as a topping.
8. Step 8: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
9. Step 9: To prepare the glaze, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, almond extract, vanilla extract, and enough milk to reach a drizzling consistency.
10. Step 10: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use frozen cherry filling if fresh cherries are not available; just thaw before using.
• For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped almonds on top before baking.
• Substitute almond extract with lemon zest for a different flavor profile.
• Chill the dough before pressing to make handling easier.

Storage

Store cherry pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat briefly in the microwave to enjoy a warm treat, or serve cold for a refreshing dessert.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different fruit filling?

Yes, these bars work well with other fruit fillings like blueberry, apple, or raspberry. Adjust baking time slightly if needed to accommodate different moisture levels.

Do I need to refrigerate cherry pie bars?

Refrigeration is optional. They stay fresh at room temperature for a few days, but refrigeration extends their shelf life and keeps them moist longer.

Easy Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 108 reviews

Easy Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful twist on classic cherry pie, combining a buttery, tender crust with a sweet and tangy cherry filling, all topped with a smooth almond-vanilla glaze. This recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for serving as a dessert or a sweet snack.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust and Base

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt

Filling

• 1 (21 oz) can premium cherry pie filling

Glaze

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tsp almond extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Milk as needed to thin

Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
2. Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the almond extract and vanilla extract.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
4. Assemble the Bars: Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the bottom crust. Evenly spread the entire can of cherry pie filling over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough on top of the cherries to create a streusel-like topping.
5. Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
6. Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, almond extract, vanilla extract, and add milk a teaspoon at a time until the glaze is smooth and drizzle-able.
7. Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cherry bars. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

• Use room temperature eggs to ensure better incorporation and texture.
• For a less sweet option, reduce sugar in the dough slightly.
• If the glaze thickens too much, add a little more milk to thin it out.
• Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
• This recipe can be doubled for larger batches using a 9×18 inch pan.

Keywords: Cherry Pie Bars, Easy Cherry Dessert, Cherry Dessert Bars, Fruit Bars, Almond Extract Dessert, Summer Dessert