Description
Delight in these luscious Cherry Pie Bars featuring a buttery, tender crust layered with sweet cherry pie filling and topped with a light vanilla-almond glaze. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these bars combine the flavors of a classic cherry pie in convenient bar form, ideal for sharing or gifting.
Ingredients
For the Dough and Filling
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 (21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Cream Butter Mixture: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup unsalted butter, 2 cups sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for your dough.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in 4 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, blending to infuse the dough with fragrant flavor.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually mix in 3 cups of all-purpose flour to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to form a soft dough.
- Prepare Baking Pan and Assemble: Spread about 3 cups of the dough evenly into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan, creating a firm bottom crust. Spread two 21-ounce cans of cherry pie filling evenly over the dough layer.
- Add Remaining Dough: Drop the remaining dough by teaspoonfuls over the cherry filling, distributing it randomly but covering most of the surface.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and set.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack to set the filling and dough.
- Prepare and Drizzle Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, and 2 to 3 tablespoons milk until the glaze reaches your desired consistency. Drizzle this glaze evenly over the cooled bars.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature to achieve a light and fluffy creaming process.
- Use canned cherry pie filling for convenience and authentic pie flavor.
- Cool bars completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and running off.
- The glaze consistency can be adjusted by adding more milk or powdered sugar for thicker or thinner drizzle as preferred.
- These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
