Cherry Pie Bars Recipe
Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful twist on classic cherry pie, packed with sweet-tart cherry filling and wrapped in a soft, buttery crust. These bars are not just easy to make, they’re also perfect for sharing—all the comfort of a homemade pie in portable squares! Whether you’re planning a picnic, a potluck, or just want an irresistible treat by your side during movie night, Cherry Pie Bars promise to please everyone with their vibrant flavor, dreamy glaze, and irresistible texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cherry Pie Bars is how their straightforward ingredient list comes together to create layers of irresistible flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Each component adds something unique and essential to the final result.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Gives the bars a rich, tender texture and that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Granulated sugar (1¾ cups): Sweetens the dough and helps create a golden crust.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth to the bars’ flavor.
- Almond extract (½ teaspoon): Enhances the cherry flavor with irresistible nutty notes.
- Eggs (4 large): Bind the batter and ensure a moist, cake-like texture.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): Provides sturdy, soft crumb that holds the bars together.
- Baking powder (1½ teaspoons): Lifts the bars, making them fluffy without being dense.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies all the other flavors.
- Cherry pie filling (1 can, 21 oz): The star of the show, bursting with juicy cherries and tangy sweetness.
- Optional glaze (1 cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tbsp milk, ¼ tsp almond extract): Adds a sweet, glossy finish with a hint of almond.
How to Make Cherry Pie Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, making sure you cover every corner—nothing clings quite like cherry pie filling, and you’ll want those bars to pop out easily.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key, as it creates the creamy, pillow-like texture that sets Cherry Pie Bars apart from regular cookies or cakes.
Step 3: Add the Flavorings and Eggs
Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts until blended. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition—this helps the dough keep its structure while ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour for the most tender bars.
Step 5: Assemble the Bars
Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly in your prepared pan. It may seem sticky, but trust the process! Next, spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the top, letting those ruby-red cherries shine. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherries; it won’t cover everything, but adds a gorgeous marbled look.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (avoid the cherry pockets as they’ll always be a bit sticky). The hardest part? Letting these cool completely before you slice. But patience pays off with perfect Cherry Pie Bars.
Step 7: Glaze and Slice
If you’d like to add the optional glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars just before serving—each slice will have a little extra sparkle and sweetness.
How to Serve Cherry Pie Bars
Garnishes
A little flourish goes a long way here. After glazing, try scattering sliced almonds or even a sprinkle of lemon zest over the top for added color and zing. A dusting of powdered sugar never goes amiss for that classic bakery finish.
Side Dishes
You can never go wrong with a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside a warm Cherry Pie Bar. A fresh fruit salad or dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream keeps things bright and refreshing, balancing the richness of the bars themselves.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or potlucks, cut the bars into smaller bites for a crowd-pleasing dessert tray, or stack them in cupcake liners to make them easy to grab and go. Serve with coffee as an afternoon treat, or tuck a square or two into lunchboxes for a surprise dessert sure to make anyone’s day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and cut, Cherry Pie Bars keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’ve glazed them, let the glaze set before stacking parchment between the bars to prevent sticking.
Freezing
Cherry Pie Bars are freezer-friendly! Simply wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge when cravings strike.
Reheating
Want that just-baked taste? Warm unglazed bars for a few seconds in the microwave or a low oven until just heated through. If you’ve already glazed them, microwave gently (10-15 seconds) so the topping stays perfect.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cherry pie filling for Cherry Pie Bars?
Absolutely! Homemade cherry pie filling can make these bars even more spectacular. Just make sure your filling isn’t too runny, so your bars hold together beautifully.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars should be lightly golden on top, with the edges starting to pull away from the pan. A toothpick inserted in the non-cherry areas should come out clean—if you hit a cherry, expect a little stickiness!
Can I make Cherry Pie Bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Check your baking powder is gluten-free too, and you’re good to go.
Do I have to use almond extract?
Almond extract adds a wonderful depth that brings out the cherry flavor, but you can certainly leave it out or double the vanilla if you prefer a simpler taste.
Can I switch up the fruit filling?
Definitely! These bars are delicious with blueberry, raspberry, apple, or even peach pie filling. Feel free to experiment and make them your own.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about Cherry Pie Bars—the chewy, golden crust, the burst of juicy cherries in every bite, and the sweet drizzle that ties it all together. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and maybe make it your new tradition. Don’t forget to share them with someone you love (if you can resist eating them all yourself)!
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Cherry Pie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delectable Cherry Pie Bars that offer a burst of fruity flavor and a buttery, tender crumb. These bars are a delightful twist on traditional cherry pie, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and almond extracts. Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture, stirring until combined.
- Layer and Bake: Spread two-thirds of the batter in the pan, top with cherry filling, then dollop remaining batter on top. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
- Glaze (Optional): Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract. Drizzle over cooled bars before slicing.
Notes
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with blueberry, raspberry, or apple.
- Almond extract can be omitted or adjusted based on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
