why make this recipe
Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful treat that combine the delicious flavors of cherry pie with the convenience of bar form. This recipe is perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or as a simple dessert at home. The buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and crumbly topping make each bite a delightful experience. Plus, they are easy to make and can be prepared in advance, allowing you to enjoy your time with family and friends.
how to make Cherry Pie Bars
Ingredients :
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp pure almond extract
- 3 Tbsp sliced almonds (optional)
- 21 oz cherry pie filling
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp pure almond extract
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp milk
Directions :
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Add dry ingredients and fold in until incorporated. Set aside 3/4 cup of dough and mix in sliced almonds until crumbly; chill.
- Press remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan and bake for 14 to 16 minutes until lightly golden. Cool for 15 minutes.
- For filling, warm cherry pie filling in a saucepan. Whisk cornstarch and water, then add to filling along with lemon juice, almond extract, and salt; simmer for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Spoon filling over crust and crumble reserved dough on top. Bake for 38 to 40 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Cool completely, then chill for 15 minutes before cutting.
- For glaze, whisk together melted butter, salt, vanilla, powdered sugar, and milk; drizzle over bars.
how to serve Cherry Pie Bars
Serve Cherry Pie Bars warm or at room temperature. They are delicious on their own or can be paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A sprinkle of sliced almonds on top adds a nice touch and extra crunch.
how to store Cherry Pie Bars
Store any leftover Cherry Pie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to save them, you can also freeze the bars. Wrap them well and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
tips to make Cherry Pie Bars
- Make sure to let the bars cool completely before cutting to avoid mess.
- Feel free to add more cherry filling if you like a fruitier taste.
- Experiment with other pie fillings, such as blueberry or apple, for a different flavor.
variation
You can add a touch of coconut or swap cherry pie filling for another fruit filling you love. Adding spices like nutmeg can give the bars a unique twist.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries, but you will need to add sugar and thicken the mixture with cornstarch since they are less sweet than pie filling.
What can I use instead of almond extract?
If you don’t have almond extract, you can either skip it or substitute with more vanilla extract for a different flavor.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make it gluten-free. Just ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.
Cherry Pie Bars
Ingredients
For the crust and topping
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp pure almond extract
- 3 Tbsp sliced almonds (optional) For topping
For the filling
- 21 oz cherry pie filling
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp pure almond extract
- pinch salt
For the glaze
- 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- pinch salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp milk
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Add dry ingredients and fold in until incorporated. Set aside 3/4 cup of dough and mix in sliced almonds until crumbly; chill.
Baking
- Press remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan and bake for 14 to 16 minutes until lightly golden. Cool for 15 minutes.
- For filling, warm cherry pie filling in a saucepan. Whisk cornstarch and water, then add to filling along with lemon juice, almond extract, and salt; simmer for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Spoon filling over crust and crumble reserved dough on top. Bake for 38 to 40 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Cool completely, then chill for 15 minutes before cutting.
Glazing
- For glaze, whisk together melted butter, salt, vanilla, powdered sugar, and milk; drizzle over bars.