Easy Cherry Pie Bars: A Simple Cherry Dessert to Savor Recipe
These Easy Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful, simple dessert featuring a buttery crust, sweet cherry pie filling, and a smooth almond-vanilla glaze. Perfect for summer gatherings or any time you want a quick, satisfying treat without the fuss of a traditional pie.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bars
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 (21 oz) can premium cherry pie filling
For the Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Milk as needed (approximately 1-2 tbsp)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready when your bars are assembled.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, which creates the ideal base for a tender crust.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the almond and vanilla extracts for added flavor depth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually blend in the all-purpose flour and salt until the dough forms. Be careful not to over-mix to keep the bars tender.
- Press Dough into Pan: Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan to form the base layer.
- Spread Cherry Filling: Layer the premium cherry pie filling evenly over the pressed crust, ensuring full coverage.
- Add Top Dough: Dollop the remaining dough in spoonfuls over the cherry filling. It will create a rustic, crumbly top as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and set.
- Cool Completely: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool fully on a wire rack to set the filling and crust.
- Prepare Glaze and Drizzle: Mix confectioners’ sugar, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a small bowl, adding milk slowly until the glaze reaches a drizzle consistency. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
- Serve: Cut into squares and serve. These bars are delightful on their own or with a scoop of ice cream for an indulgent treat.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- Use premium cherry pie filling for the best flavor and texture in the bars.
- The glaze can be adjusted in thickness by adding more or less milk.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
- For a nut-free version, omit almond extract and use extra vanilla extract instead.
Keywords: cherry pie bars, easy cherry dessert, cherry bars, pie bars, simple cherry dessert, baked cherry bars, almond glaze dessert
