Description
Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful and easy-to-make dessert featuring a buttery base layered with sweet cherry pie filling and topped with a light almond glaze. Perfect for gatherings, these bars balance rich flavor with a tender crumb, making them an irresistible American classic treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Filling and Glaze
- 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to maintain the batter’s consistency. Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt before gradually adding this dry mix to the wet ingredients until fully combined into a smooth batter.
- Assemble Bars: Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan. Spoon the entire cherry pie filling over this base, then drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top of the cherries to create a patchy layer.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the batter comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract to make the glaze, then drizzle it evenly over the cooled bars.
- Serve: Slice into 24 bars and serve, enjoying a perfect balance of sweet cherries and buttery crust.
Notes
- Cherry pie filling can be substituted with blueberry or apple pie filling for variety.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate bars to keep them fresh for a longer period.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
