Description
Cherry pie bars are a delightful twist on the classic cherry pie, combining a buttery crust with luscious cherry pie filling and a sweet glaze. These bars are easy to prepare, bake quickly, and serve as a perfect crowd-pleasing dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Bar Base and Filling
- 1 cup softened unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan with pan spray to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This provides a rich base for the bars.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in 4 large eggs thoroughly to incorporate air, then add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon almond extract for enhanced flavor, mixing well.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt to ensure even distribution of salt and to prepare the flour for the batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet: Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the batter which could toughen the bars.
- Assemble Bars: Spread 3 cups of the batter evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating a solid base layer. Then, evenly spread the 2 cans (21 ounces each) of cherry pie filling over the batter. Finally, drop dollops of the remaining batter evenly over the cherry filling to create a textured top layer.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the top layer comes out clean and the top is lightly golden brown. If using a slightly larger 15 x 10-inch pan, reduce baking time to about 30 minutes.
- Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool fully in the pan to set properly before glazing, which ensures the glaze does not melt or slide off.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract, and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cherry pie bars evenly for added sweetness and a beautiful finish.
Notes
- This recipe was originally posted on July 23, 2019, and updated on June 18, 2024, ensuring the instructions and details are current and reliable.
- Baking times may vary slightly based on oven calibration and pan size; always check with a toothpick test.
- The glaze can be adjusted for consistency by adding more milk for thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker coating.
- For variation, you can substitute almond extract with an additional teaspoon of vanilla extract if preferred.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American