Cherry Bars are a sweet, fruity, and easy-to-make dessert that’s perfect for potlucks, gatherings, or just a cozy treat at home. The combination of buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a crumbly topping makes these bars irresistible.
Cherry Bars Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Crust and Topping:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cherry Filling:
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (or fresh cherries, see note below)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening the filling)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added flavor)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
2. Make the Crust:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the egg, softened butter, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Stir together until the mixture forms a crumbly dough.
- Set aside about 1 cup of the dough for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch pan to form the crust.
3. Prepare the Cherry Filling:
- If you’re using canned cherry pie filling, simply open the can and stir it a bit to break up the cherries if you prefer smaller pieces. If using fresh cherries, chop them up and combine with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to make your own filling.
- Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust layer in the pan.
4. Add the Crumble Topping:
- Take the remaining dough that you set aside earlier and crumble it evenly over the cherry filling, covering it as much as possible. Some gaps are fine—this will create a crumbly, textured topping.
5. Bake:
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
6. Cool and Slice:
- Allow the cherry bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles. This helps the bars set and makes them easier to cut.
7. Serve:
- Serve the cherry bars at room temperature or chilled. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch!
Tips:
- Fresh Cherry Option: If using fresh cherries, you can make your own filling by pitting and chopping the cherries, then cooking them with sugar and cornstarch until thickened. Add lemon juice to balance the sweetness.
- Extra Flavor: Add a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract to the dough for extra flavor.
- Storage: Store any leftover cherry bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
These cherry bars are a delightful dessert that combines the sweet and tangy taste of cherries with a buttery, crumbly crust. They’re easy to make and always a hit with guests!