I love whipping up Cherry Bars! They are festive, sweet, and super easy to make. The cherry pie filling gives them a yummy cherry flavor that’s a hit every time.
These bars are quick to prepare, ready in just 55 minutes! They are my go-to when I want a delicious snack without much fuss. If you’re in the mood for more fruity delights, you might also love this Blueberry Bread Recipe or this Strawberry Bread Recipe with Fresh Strawberry Glaze.
I usually drizzle mine with a bit of confectioners’ sugar for that extra sweet touch. How do you like to enjoy your cherry bars? Maybe with a slice of Passion Fruit Cake for a tropical and sweet experience?
With their bright colors and sweet taste, Cherry Bars are great for Christmas or any special event. They’re sure to be a holiday favorite in your home too!
Now, let’s get to the ingredients to start making these delightful Cherry Bars!
Table of Content
Serving Size and Preparation Time
Serving Size and Yield:
This Cherry bars recipe makes about 60 Cherry Bars, perfect for sharing! One bar is one serving. However, if you need more or fewer bars, no problem! Just use more or less of each ingredient.
Preparation and Cooking Time:
You’ll need about 55 minutes to make these Cherry Pie Bars:
| Prep Time | About 20 minutes. |
| Baking Time | Around 35 minutes. |
| Cooling Time | Let them cool a bit before you dig in! |
Ingredients
For The Cherry Pie Bars:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
For The Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk
Pro Tip for the Best Cherry Bars:
Pro Tip: For the best results, ensure that the eggs are at room temperature and the butter is softened before starting the recipe.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Cherry Bars Recipe
To whip up these delightful Cherry Bars, ensure you have the following kitchen tools at hand:
- A big bowl for mixing ingredients.
- A 15x10x1-inch pan for baking. Grease it well!
- Cups and spoons for measuring ingredients.
- A wire rack for cooling the bars.
Without further ado, with these tools ready, you’re all set to start making your delicious Cherry Bars!
How to Make Cherry Bars:
Time needed: 55 minutes
Follow these 6 simple steps to make delicious Cherry Bars, a sweet treat with a golden crust and luscious cherry filling, topped with a sweet glaze!
- Start by Preheating the Oven:
Firstly, turn your oven to 350°. It needs to get hot while you make the dough.
- Mixing the Dough:
Afterwards, in a big bowl, mix 1 cup of soft butter, 2 cups of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt until it’s fluffy. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Then, add 4 eggs, one at a time, mixing well each time. Following that, mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon of almond flavor. Last, slowly mix in 3 cups of flour.
- Assembling the Bars:
Following this, spread 3 cups of dough in a greased baking pan. Then, spread 2 cans of cherry pie filling on top. Finally, drop the rest of the dough on top of the cherries by the spoonful.
- Baking the Bars:
Once assembled, place your pan in your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 35-40 minutes or until you see a beautiful golden brown color appearing on your bars.
- Cooling Down:
Once out of the oven, patience is crucial. Allow your bars to fully cool down in the pan on a wire rack.
- Glazing the Cherry Bars:
While waiting, you can prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of 2% milk until you reach your desired consistency. Once the bars are cool, drizzle your homemade glaze over the top.
Note: Watch the bars while they bake so they don’t burn. If your oven is hotter or cooler, you might also need to change the baking time.
Alternative Ingredients for Dietary Restrictions
- No Gluten: Use gluten-free flour like the one from Bob’s Red Mill instead of regular flour. It might taste a bit different.
- No Dairy: Use dairy-free margarine or coconut oil instead of butter. Additionally, use almond or soy milk in the glaze. Check labels to avoid hidden dairy.
- No Nuts: For those with nut allergies, it’s best to omit the almond extract or opt for an imitation almond flavor.
- Vegan: Use flax eggs (mix 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons water for each egg) and vegan butter. Also, use plant milk in the glaze.
- Less Sugar: Use Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener instead of sugar. Follow the package for amounts.
Note: Swaps might change the taste or look of your bars, so you might want to try them out first.
Helpful Answers and Fixes for Cherry Bars
FAQs:
Indeed, you can definitely exchange the cherry pie filling for blueberry, raspberry, or any other fruit filling you prefer.
You can use any other pie filling like apple, peach, or also berry as a substitute. You can also make a homemade filling using fresh or frozen fruits, sugar, and cornstarch.
Yes, you can use a 9×13 pan, but the bars will be thicker, and you may need to adjust the baking time. Consequently, keep a close eye on them and perform the toothpick test to check for doneness.
Yes, once the bars are completely cooled, you can freeze them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Troubleshooting:
Problem: The bars are too dry.
Solution: Ensure accurate measurement of ingredients and avoid overbaking. If they still turn out dry, try adding a bit more butter or a small amount of milk to the dough.
Issue: The filling is oozing out.
Fix: Make sure to spread the dough properly to create a good base and also to drop the remaining dough evenly over the filling to prevent any leakage.
Concern: The bars are too sweet.
Remedy: You can reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or choose a pie filling with lower sugar content.
Difficulty: The glaze is too thick or thin.
Adjustment: If the glaze is too thick, add more milk, a little at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, then add more confectioners’ sugar.
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