These Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful twist on the classic cherry pie, offering all the flavors you love in an easy-to-make bar form.
With a buttery cookie-like crust, sweet cherry pie filling, and a golden topping, this dessert is perfect for sharing at gatherings, holidays, or simply enjoying as a sweet treat.
The combination of rich dough and tangy cherries creates a satisfying dessert that’s sure to please everyone!
Ingredients
for the bras
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
5 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cans (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
for the glaze
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
3 tablespoons milk.
instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan (12×17) with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.
In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar, about 1-2 minutes.
Add salt, eggs, and vanilla and almond flavorings and continue stirring until fully incorporated.
Add flour and baking powder and mix until just combined. Reserve 1 3/4 cup of dough.
Spread/Press remaining dough into the prepared baking pan.
Top with cherry pie filling. Drop remaining batter in small pieces over the cherry filling.
Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled prepare the glaze. Whisk together confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth and drizzle over the bars.
Cut into 35 squares and serve.
For variations, you can easily swap the cherry pie filling for other fruit fillings like blueberry, apple, or raspberry to create different flavors.
You could also add a streusel topping for extra texture or drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over the baked bars for added sweetness.
For a citrus twist, incorporate a bit of lemon or orange zest into the dough.
When making these bars, be sure to press the dough evenly into the pan to ensure consistent baking, and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to get clean, neat squares.
In terms of nutrition, a typical serving of these cherry pie bars contains approximately 250-300 calories, with about 12-15g of fat, 30-35g of carbohydrates, and 2-4g of protein.
For best results, use quality cherry pie filling, and for a little extra flavor, drizzle the bars with a powdered sugar glaze or serve them with whipped cream.
Be sure to store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Yes, you can freeze Cherry Pie Bars to enjoy later. Once they’ve cooled completely, cut them into individual bars and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze for about an hour.
After they’re frozen, transfer the bars to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To enjoy, simply thaw the bars at room temperature for a few hours or in the refrigerator overnight.