Description
Delight in these Cherry Pie Bars that combine a buttery crust with a luscious cherry filling and a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for serving at gatherings or as a comforting homemade treat, these bars offer the classic flavors of cherry pie in an easy-to-cut, shareable form.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Topping
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cherry Filling
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there is enough overhang to lift the bars out easily after baking.
- Make the Crust and Topping: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Add in the flour and salt, mixing until a thick dough forms. Reserve 1 cup of this dough for the topping and press the remainder evenly into the prepared pan to create the crust.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract. Stir thoroughly so the cherries are evenly coated and the filling is slightly thickened.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust layer in the baking pan. Crumble the reserved dough evenly over the cherry layer to form the topping.
- Bake: Bake the bars for 45-55 minutes until the topping is lightly golden and the cherry filling is bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Glaze: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. Drizzle the glaze uniformly over the cooled bars.
- Serve: Once glazed, cut the bars into 16 squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
- Using fresh or frozen cherries works well; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess juice before mixing.
- Make sure to allow the bars to cool completely before glazing for the best texture and appearance.
- If the topping browns too soon, tent the pan with foil to ensure even baking.
- These bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
- For an extra touch, add chopped nuts to the topping dough before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
