There’s nothing worse than getting a craving for cherry pie but dreading the thought of making a whole pie just to satisfy it.
Amiright?
Well, if you want to get your fix without endless hours in the kitchen, then our Cherry Pie Bars are just what you’ve been looking for. We’ve packed all the goodness of a pie and condensed it down to the convenience of a bar.
Not only are they scrumptious but they’re also a feast for the eyes. Bright and vibrant, the rich red color gives way to tantalizing tartness with the very first bite you take.
Of course, we’ve got a little secret ingredient to really help that cherry flavor pop – a dash of almond extract. Nothing else comes close to highlighting those subtle cherry notes without overpowering them.
Now let’s get to the best part – no crust gymnastics needed! That’s right, an effortless shortbread crust is all you need to get the job done here. All you need to do is layer in your fav cherry pie filling and you’re good to go!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Unsalted Butter. Every dessert needs a base and butter is the perfect one for our bars. It ensures every bite is rich, creamy and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated Sugar. Each bite we take should have just the right blend of tangy and sweet. That’s exactly what granulated sugar gives. It sweetens the bars just the right amount.
Eggs. Eggs add a rich texture to our bars and they also act as an important binder, holding the treats together nicely.
Vanilla & Almond Extracts. Both extracts are used to deepen the flavor of the dessert. The almond extract especially enhances the tangy sweet goodness of the cherry filling.
All-Purpose Flour. To give our bars structure, flour is key. You can think of it as the backbone of our dessert. It ensures that they hold their shape.
Baking Powder & Salt. We only need our bars to rise just a touch. Using baking powder helps that happen. It also helps to give them a light and crumbly texture which is what you want in a shortbread.
Cherry Pie Filling. The star of the dessert! Adding cherry pie filling gives us that burst of tangy sweetness we want.
Powdered Sugar Glaze. Part decorative, part delicious, using this simple glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness to our dessert along with giving it a touch of class.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | Base for richness and creamy texture. |
| Granulated Sugar | Adds the right amount of sweetness. |
| Eggs | Provides rich texture and binds the bars. |
| Vanilla & Almond Extracts | Deepens flavor; almond enhances cherry filling. |
| All-Purpose Flour | Gives structure and shape to the bars. |
| Baking Powder & Salt | Allows slight rise and imparts a crumbly texture. |
| Cherry Pie Filling | Tangy sweetness and the main flavor of the dessert. |
| Powdered Sugar Glaze | Adds a touch of sweetness and elegance. |
Cherry Pie Bars – Foolproof Method!
Preparation. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Using parchment paper, line a 9×13 pan.
You want to make sure you leave an overhang of parchment paper on both sides. This will help us remove the bars later on.
Getting Creamy. Using a large bowl, start by creaming the softened butter with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Next, add the eggs individually. Last, add the extracts.
Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Once you have them mixed together, go ahead and gradually add it to the creamy mixture.
You don’t need to overmix it though, mix it until all ingredients are just combined.
Add Filling. Take about 2/3 of the dough and spread it evenly into the pan you prepared earlier.
Pour the cherry pie filling over it and spread it out evenly as you go.
Crumbly Creativity. Using the remaining dough, drop small amounts of it on top of the cherry filling.
The idea is to create crumble-like texture.
Baking. Transfer the pan to the oven and let it bake for 30-35 minutes.
Check for a lightly golden top. Once it has this appearance, stick a toothpick down into the dessert.
If the toothpick comes out clean, it’s done and you can take it out of the oven.
Cooling. Give the bars a chance to completely cool off in the pan.
Glaze Away. While the bars are cooling, it’s time to make the glaze.
Using a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, almond extract, and milk until it thickens.
Once it’s pourable, go ahead and drizzle it over the cooled bars.
Remove, Cut & Serve. Take hold of the parchment paper overhang and gently lift the bars out of the pan. Portion it into squares and dig in!
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. |
| Creaming Process | Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and extracts. |
| Dry Mix | Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt, then combine with the creamy mixture. |
| Layering | Spread 2/3 of dough in pan, top with cherry pie filling, and crumble remaining dough on top. |
| Baking | Bake for 30-35 minutes until lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean. |
| Cooling | Allow bars to cool completely in the pan. |
| Glazing | Whisk powdered sugar, almond extract, and milk to make glaze and drizzle over cooled bars. |
| Serving | Lift bars using parchment overhang, cut into squares, and serve. |
Cherry Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 21 ounces cherry pie filling 1 can
Glaze
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Using parchment paper, line a 9×13 pan. You want to make sure you leave an overhang of parchment paper on both sides. This will help us remove the bars later on.
- Using a large bowl, start by creaming the softened butter with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Next, add the eggs individually. Last, add the extracts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Once you have them mixed together, go ahead and gradually add it to the creamy mixture. You don’t need to overmix it though, mix it until all ingredients are just combined.
- Take about 2/3 of the dough and spread it evenly into the pan you prepared earlier. Pour the cherry pie filling over it and spread it out evenly as you go.
- Using the remaining dough, drop small amounts of it on top of the cherry filling. The idea is to create crumble-like texture.
- Transfer the pan to the oven and let it bake for 30-35 minutes. Check for a lightly golden top. Once it has this appearance, stick a toothpick down into the dessert. If the toothpick comes out clean, it’s done and you can take it out of the oven.
- Give the bars a chance to completely cool off in the pan.
- While the bars are cooling, it’s time to make the glaze. Using a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, almond extract, and milk until it thickens. Once it’s pourable, go ahead and drizzle it over the cooled bars.
- Take hold of the parchment paper overhang and gently lift the bars out of the pan. Portion it into squares and dig in!
Nutrition
Hey there! I’m Hannah, a freelance writer with a passion for creating delicious, mouth-watering dessert recipes. I’m a self-taught baker who loves experimenting with flavors and textures. I believe that baking is a form of art and I love sharing my creations with the world. When I’m not baking or writing, I enjoy yoga, painting, and spending time with my two adorable cats.
