These Cherry Pie Bars offer a delightful twist on the classic cherry pie, presenting all the beloved flavors in a convenient and easy-to-serve bar form. They typically consist of a buttery and slightly sweet crust, a luscious and vibrant cherry filling, and often a streusel or another layer of the same crust on top. These bars capture the essence of cherry pie, with the tender, flaky crust providing a sturdy base and topping for the sweet and slightly tart cherry filling. The filling is usually made with juicy, ripe cherries (fresh, frozen, or canned), sugar, and a thickening agent like cornstarch or tapioca starch to create a gooey and satisfying center. A hint of almond extract is often added to enhance the cherry flavor. The crust is typically made from flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes a leavening agent, pressed into the bottom of a baking pan. The cherry filling is spread over the crust, and then a crumbly streusel topping or another layer of the crust is added before baking. The bars are baked until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and set. Once cooled, they are cut into squares or rectangles, making them perfect for sharing at gatherings, picnics, or as a simple yet delicious dessert. The ease of preparation and serving makes these Cherry Pie Bars a popular alternative to a traditional pie while still delivering that classic cherry pie taste and comforting sweetness.
The texture of Cherry Pie Bars is a delightful combination of a buttery and sometimes slightly crumbly crust on the bottom and often the top, encasing a soft, gooey, and fruit-filled cherry filling. The baked cherries are tender and juicy, providing a pleasant burst of texture.
The flavor profile is predominantly sweet and fruity, with the distinct taste of cherries taking center stage. The crust offers a buttery and slightly sweet base that complements the tartness of the cherries. A hint of almond extract, if used, adds a warm and nutty undertone that enhances the cherry flavor.
Cherry Pie Bars are perfect for a variety of occasions, including potlucks, picnics, bake sales, or as a simple and satisfying dessert at home. Their ease of serving makes them a great choice for sharing.
The preparation of Cherry Pie Bars involves making a crust, preparing a cherry filling, assembling the bars, and then baking them until golden brown and the filling is bubbly. First, a buttery crust is made by combining flour, butter, sugar, and sometimes a leavening agent. Part of this mixture is pressed into the bottom of a baking pan to form the base. Next, the cherry filling is prepared by combining cherries (fresh, frozen, or canned), sugar, a thickening agent (like cornstarch), and often a flavoring like almond extract. This filling is spread evenly over the prepared crust. The remaining crust mixture is then crumbled over the cherry filling to create a streusel topping, or a thin layer of the crust is placed on top. The bars are then baked in a preheated oven until the crust is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling and set. After baking, the bars are cooled completely before being cut into squares or rectangles for serving.
Ingredients (based on a typical Cherry Pie Bar recipe):
For the Crust:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg (sometimes used as a binder)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
For the Cherry Filling:
- 4 cups pitted cherries (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained if canned)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to sweetness of cherries)
- ¼ cup cornstarch or tapioca starch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Topping (can be streusel or more crust):
- Option 1 (Streusel): Reserved portion of the crust mixture
- Option 2 (Crust Layer): Additional dough made similar to the base crust
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry blender or fork (for cutting in butter)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Parchment paper (optional, for lining pan)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If using, stir in the egg and vanilla extract until the dough just comes together. You may need to add a tablespoon of ice water if the dough is too dry. Divide the dough in half (or reserve about ⅓ for a streusel topping). Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan. You can line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch or tapioca starch, and lemon juice. If using almond extract, stir it in. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the cherries are glossy and heated through. Let the filling cool slightly.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the slightly cooled cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan.
- Add the Topping:
- Streusel: If you reserved part of the crust dough, crumble it evenly over the cherry filling.
- Crust Layer: If making a full top crust, roll out the remaining dough and place it over the filling. Cut vents in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake the Bars: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Cut: Let the cherry pie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting them into squares or rectangles. Cooling is important for the filling to set properly.
- Serve: Once cooled, cut the bars and serve. They can be enjoyed at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Enjoy these delightful Cherry Pie Bars!