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cherry pie bars

A Sweet, Tangy Treat in Every Bite! Recipe

5.3 from 13 reviews

These Cherry Pie Bars combine a tender, buttery crust with a sweet and tangy cherry filling, topped with a delicate vanilla-almond glaze. Perfect for dessert or a special snack, they offer a delightful balance of flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Bars:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp almond extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with non-stick spray to ensure easy removal of bars after baking.
  2. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender crumb in the bars.
  3. Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts to infuse the batter with warm, aromatic flavors.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
  5. Assemble Bars: Spread 3 cups of the batter evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan. Carefully spread the cherry pie filling over the batter to form a uniform layer, then drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top, creating a marbled effect.
  6. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the batter comes out clean. If using a 9×13-inch pan, increase the baking time slightly to ensure the bars are fully cooked.
  7. Cool: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack, which helps the bars set and makes glazing easier.
  8. Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until a smooth, pourable glaze forms.
  9. Drizzle & Serve: Once the bars have cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
  • Use good quality cherry pie filling for the best flavor and texture.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
  • The glaze can be adjusted for thickness by adding more milk (thinner) or powdered sugar (thicker).
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • To make the bars dairy-free, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and milk with almond or oat milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: cherry pie bars, cherry dessert, baked cherry bars, cherry dessert bars, cherry pie filling, buttery cherry bars, glazed cherry bars