These cherry pie bars are a delightful twist on the classic cherry pie, perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a sweet treat at home. With a buttery crust, a luscious cherry filling, and a crumbly topping, these bars are easy to make and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
For the crust and topping:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
For the glaze (optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Prepare Crust and Topping:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Reserve about 1 ½ cups of the dough for the topping and set aside.
- Assemble the Bars:
- Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
- Spread the cherry pie filling over the crust. If desired, stir the almond extract into the filling before spreading.
- Drop spoonfuls of the reserved dough over the cherry filling to create a crumbly topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
- Serve: Cut into bars and enjoy!
These cherry pie bars are as beautiful as they are delicious—perfect for any occasion! 🍒