This recipe provides instructions for making delightful Cherry Pie Bars, a convenient and less fussy alternative to a traditional cherry pie. These bars feature a buttery and slightly sweet shortbread crust, a luscious and tangy cherry filling, and a streusel-like or second shortbread layer on top, often drizzled with a simple glaze for added sweetness and visual appeal. The combination of the crumbly crust, the juicy cherry filling, and the slightly chewy or crisp topping creates a satisfying textural contrast, while the sweet and tart cherries provide a burst of fruity flavor that is both comforting and irresistible. These bars are perfect for potlucks, picnics, or any occasion where individual servings of a classic cherry pie are desired in an easier-to-handle format. They capture the essence of cherry pie in a portable and shareable form.
The crust of these cherry pie bars is typically a simple shortbread made from flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes a touch of salt. The cold butter is cut into the dry ingredients until a crumbly mixture forms, which is then pressed into the bottom of a baking pan to create a sturdy base for the filling. This crust provides a slightly sweet and buttery foundation that complements the tartness of the cherries.
The cherry filling is the heart of these bars. It usually consists of canned or frozen tart cherries, which are often mixed with sugar, a thickening agent like cornstarch or tapioca starch, and sometimes a touch of almond extract or lemon juice to enhance the flavor. The mixture is cooked briefly on the stovetop to thicken the juices before being spread over the prepared crust. Using tart cherries balances the sweetness of the crust and any glaze, providing that classic cherry pie tang.
The topping can vary. Some recipes use a streusel topping made from flour, butter, and sugar, which creates a crumbly and slightly crunchy layer. Other recipes use a second layer of the shortbread crust dough, which can be crumbled over the filling or rolled out and cut into strips to create a lattice pattern. This provides a more cohesive “pie” feel to the bars.
Once assembled, the cherry pie bars are baked until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The baking time ensures that the crust is cooked through and the filling is set. After baking, the bars are cooled completely before being cut into squares or rectangles.
A simple glaze, made from powdered sugar and a liquid such as milk, water, or cherry juice, is often drizzled over the cooled bars. This adds an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal. The glaze can be flavored with a bit of vanilla or almond extract to complement the cherry filling.
Cherry pie bars offer all the deliciousness of a traditional cherry pie but are much easier to serve and transport. The layered textures and the sweet-tart cherry flavor make them a beloved treat for cherry pie enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a satisfyingly sweet and fruity dessert. The image shows a stack of four square cherry pie bars. Each bar has a light-colored, slightly crumbly base and top crust, with a thick, dark red, juicy cherry filling in between. Some of the cherry filling has oozed out the sides. The bars are stacked on a light-colored surface, and fresh red cherries are scattered around the base of the stack.
The texture of Cherry Pie Bars is a delightful combination of a crumbly and slightly chewy shortbread crust and topping, with a soft, juicy, and slightly thickened cherry filling in the middle.
The flavor profile is predominantly sweet and tart, with the sweet buttery notes of the shortbread complementing the tangy and fruity flavor of the cherry filling. A hint of almond or vanilla might also be present.
Cherry Pie Bars are a dessert consisting of a shortbread crust, a sweet and tart cherry filling, and a crumbly or shortbread topping, often glazed, and cut into bars for easy serving.
The preparation involves making a shortbread crust, preparing a cherry filling by cooking cherries with sugar and a thickener, assembling the bars with the crust, filling, and a crumble or second crust layer, baking until golden, cooling, and optionally glazing.
Ingredients:
For the Crust and Topping:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg (for binding the crust, optional for topping if using a crumble)
For the Cherry Filling:
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans tart cherries in water, drained (reserve ¼ cup juice, optional)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to sweetness of cherries)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch or tapioca starch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk, water, or reserved cherry juice
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract (optional)
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry blender or your fingers
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or fork
- Small saucepan
Instructions:
Part 1: Make the Crust and Crumble Topping:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- If making a solid top crust (instead of a crumble), whisk in the egg until the dough just comes together. For a crumble topping, you can omit the egg or just use some of the crumb mixture.
- Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture (or the dough with egg) evenly into the bottom of the ungreased 9×13 inch baking pan to form the crust.
- Set the remaining crumb mixture aside for the topping. If you made a solid dough for the top, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it until ready to use.
Part 2: Prepare the Cherry Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the drained tart cherries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch (or tapioca starch). If using, add the reserved cherry juice, lemon juice, and almond extract.
- Stir the mixture over medium heat until it thickens and begins to bubble. Once bubbling, cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cherry filling cool slightly while you prepare the topping.
Part 3: Assemble and Bake the Bars:
- Pour the slightly cooled cherry filling evenly over the prepared crust in the baking pan.
- If using the reserved crumb mixture for the topping, sprinkle it evenly over the cherry filling.
- If using a solid dough for the top crust, roll it out thinly on a lightly floured surface and cut it into strips. Arrange the strips in a lattice pattern over the cherry filling, or place the entire rolled-out dough over the filling and cut vents to allow steam to escape.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust and topping are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Part 4: Cool and Glaze (Optional):
- Remove the baked cherry pie bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is important for the filling to set properly and for easier cutting.
- Once the bars are completely cool, prepare the glaze, if desired. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk, water, or reserved cherry juice until smooth. Stir in the vanilla or almond extract, if using. Add more liquid, a teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled cherry pie bars.
- Cut the bars into squares or rectangles and serve.
Tips and Variations:
- Type of Cherries: You can use fresh or frozen tart cherries. If using frozen, thaw them completely and drain well. Adjust sugar based on sweetness.
- Other Fillings: This crust recipe can be used with other fruit fillings like apple, blueberry, or raspberry. Adjust sugar and spices accordingly.
- Nutty Topping: Add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans to the crumble topping for extra flavor and crunch.
- Spice in Crust: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crust for a warmer flavor.
- Freezing: These bars freeze well. Once completely cooled and cut, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy these cherry pie bars as a dessert, snack, or even a sweet addition to brunch. They are delicious on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Enjoy these easy and delicious Cherry Pie Bars! They are a perfect way to satisfy your cherry pie cravings without the fuss of a whole pie.