Description
Cherry Pie Bars feature a buttery crust layered with a sweet and tangy cherry filling, topped with a crumbly dough and a smooth vanilla glaze. This dessert combines the classic flavors of cherry pie in an easy-to-serve bar format, perfect for gatherings or a delightful treat any time.
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 and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure there is enough overhang on the sides to easily lift out the finished bars.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Add the flour and salt, mixing until a thick dough forms. Take out 1 cup of this dough and set it aside for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to create the crust.
- Prepare Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the cherries with granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract until the cherries are evenly coated.
- Assemble Bars: Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan. Then crumble the reserved dough over the top of the cherry layer to form the topping.
- Bake: Bake the bars for 45-55 minutes until the top is lightly golden and the cherry filling is bubbling. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. Drizzle this glaze over the bars before cutting them into 16 squares for serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cherries in season for the best flavor, but frozen cherries work well too; just be sure to thaw and drain them if very watery.
- For a nuttier twist, add chopped almonds or pecans to the topping crumble.
- Adjust the glaze consistency by adding more milk for a thinner drizzle or less for a thicker one.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
