Easy Cherry Pie Bars Recipe: Sweet & Buttery Bliss in Every Bite

Sweet summer memories bloom with every bite of these delectable cherry pie bars.

Crumbly, buttery crust meets a luscious cherry pie filling that dances between layers of golden pastry.

The homemade bars burst with tangy fruit and delicate sweetness that rivals traditional pie.

Each square delivers a perfect balance of rich, tender texture and bright cherry flavor.

Warm from the oven or chilled from the refrigerator, these bars offer a delightful twist on classic dessert.

Fresh cherries transform this simple treat into a nostalgic comfort food everyone will adore.

Grab a fork and savor every delicious moment of this irresistible summer dessert.

Cherry Pie Bars Sweet Features

• Whip Up Quickly: Super simple recipe that even beginner bakers can master with minimal kitchen skills and basic ingredients.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual celebrations where everyone craves a sweet treat that's not too complicated.
• Versatile Comfort Food: Combines the classic charm of cherry pie with the convenience of bar-style dessert, offering a delightful twist on traditional pastry that's easy to serve and share.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows for personal touches like different fruit fillings or adjusting glaze sweetness to match individual preferences.

Ingredients for Cherry Pie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure and texture foundation for the bars.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a tender, flaky base.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden, crisp texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the dough.

• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Add depth and complementary flavors to the bars.

• Cherry Pie Filling: Provides a sweet and tangy fruit layer in the center of the bars.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze for topping.

• Milk: Adjusts the consistency of the glaze for drizzling.

Baking Cherry Pie Bars at Home

Step 1: Prepare Base Ingredients

• Butter
• Sugar
• Salt
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• All-purpose flour

Use an electric mixer to cream butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes light and airy.

This process typically takes 5-7 minutes.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Pour in vanilla and almond extracts for extra flavor.

Slowly incorporate flour until a smooth dough forms.

Step 2: Create Bar Foundation

Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.

Spread approximately 3 cups of prepared dough evenly across the bottom of the pan, creating a smooth base layer.

Carefully distribute cherry pie filling over the dough, ensuring even coverage.

Use a spoon to drop remaining dough in small dollops across the cherry filling.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown color developing across the surface.

The bars should look set and slightly crisp around the edges.

Step 4: Cool and Finish

Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely inside the pan on a wire rack.

This cooling process helps the bars set and makes cutting easier.

Step 5: Create Delicious Glaze

• Confectioners' sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk

Combine ingredients until you reach a smooth, drizzling consistency.

Use a spoon or piping bag to artfully drizzle the glaze over the cooled cherry pie bars.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Cut into squares and serve.

These bars are perfect for potlucks, dessert tables, or a sweet family treat.

Tips for Perfect Cherry Pie Bars

• Use room temperature butter for smooth, fluffy texture that blends easily with sugar and creates light, tender bars.
• Opt for high-quality cherry pie filling or homemade filling for richer, more authentic fruit flavor and natural sweetness.
• Use an offset spatula to distribute base and top layers uniformly, ensuring consistent baking and preventing dry or undercooked spots.
• Add milk gradually to confectioners' sugar mixture, creating a drizzle that's not too thick or runny for perfect bar decoration.
• Allow bars to cool completely before adding glaze to prevent melting and ensure a clean, crisp glazed finish.

Cherry Pie Bars Flavor Options

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same rich texture and flavor.
• Vegan Cherry Bliss: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of chicken eggs, and choose plant-based cherry filling to create a dairy-free and egg-free alternative.
• Berry Bonanza: Substitute cherry pie filling with mixed berry or blueberry filling for a vibrant, fruity variation that adds exciting color and taste.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans over the filling before baking to introduce a delightful crunch and enhance the overall texture of the bars.

Serving Cherry Pie Bars for Dessert

• Elegant Picnic Platter: Slice cherry pie bars into neat triangles and arrange on a rustic wooden board with fresh cherries scattered around for a charming outdoor presentation.
• Dessert Café Style: Dust bars with powdered sugar, place on white porcelain plates, and garnish with a small mint leaf for a sophisticated café-inspired look.
• Family Gathering Treat: Serve warm bars with vanilla ice cream scoop on the side, creating a delightful contrast between the hot pastry and cold creamy topping.
• Coffee Companion: Pair with espresso or cappuccino, cutting bars into smaller bite-sized pieces that complement a mid-morning or afternoon coffee break.

Cherry Pie Bars Storage Solutions

• Store cooled cherry pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual bars or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Keep bars at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Place in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Add the glaze just before serving for the best texture and appearance. Pre-glazed bars can become slightly soggy if stored for extended periods.

FAQs

• How do I know when the cherry pie bars are done baking?

Look for golden brown edges and a set center. The top should be lightly golden and the filling should be bubbling slightly around the edges.

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?

No, fresh cherries have too much moisture. Stick with canned pie filling to ensure the right consistency and prevent a soggy base.

• Why do I need to cream butter and sugar for so long?

Creaming incorporates air, creating a lighter, fluffier texture. It helps the bars become tender and soft instead of dense and heavy.

• What extracts work best in this recipe?

Vanilla extract is classic, but almond extract pairs beautifully with cherries. Use 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for enhanced flavor.

Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful cherry pie bars bring classic American dessert comfort to your kitchen with minimal effort. Sweet-tart cherries nestled in buttery crust create a perfect handheld treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Base Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon almond extract

Filling Ingredients:

• 2 cans (21 ounces each / 594 grams each) cherry pie filling

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons 2% milk
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 teaspoon almond extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with grease. Cream together butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes airy and pale, which takes approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Incorporate eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, then blend in vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually fold in flour until a smooth dough forms.
3. Distribute approximately 3 cups of dough evenly across the prepared baking pan, creating a uniform base layer. Carefully spread cherry pie filling over the dough.
4. Delicately drop remaining dough by small spoonfuls across the cherry filling, creating a rustic, uneven topping.
5. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface that indicates complete cooking.
6. Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely on a wire rack, which helps set the texture and prevents soggy bottoms.
7. Prepare the glaze by whisking confectioners’ sugar with extracts, gradually adding milk until achieving a smooth, drizzleable consistency.
8. Once bars are thoroughly cooled, elegantly drizzle the glaze across the surface, creating an appetizing finish.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and prevent lumpy batter.
• Soften butter beforehand by letting it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming.
• Gently press remaining dough over cherry filling to create a rustic, uneven top for a homemade texture.
• Consider using fresh cherries when in season for a more intense, vibrant flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 344
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 162 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 69 mg