Indulge in the delightful taste of cherry pie in a convenient bar form! These Cherry Pie Bars are the perfect blend of a buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a light glaze that will make every bite irresistible. Ideal for potlucks, picnics, or just a cozy dessert at home, these bars are easy to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients:
For the Base and Crumble:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
For the Filling:
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional, for added flavor)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Make the Base and Crumble
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add in the flour, salt, and baking powder, mixing until combined.
- Reserve about 1 cup of the dough for the crumble topping and set aside.
- Press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Add the Cherry Filling
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough base.
- If using almond extract, stir it into the cherry filling before spreading.
- Add the Crumble Topping
- Crumble the reserved dough over the cherry filling in small, uneven pieces.
- Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.
- Slice and Serve
- Once the glaze sets, slice the bars into squares or rectangles. Serve and enjoy!