Description
Delight in these Cherry Pie Bars, a delicious twist on classic cherry pie with a buttery crust and luscious cherry pie filling. Perfectly baked and topped with a sweet glaze, these bars offer a simple yet irresistible dessert that’s easy to prepare and sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender crumb.
- Mix Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated, then add the vanilla extract for aroma and flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Form Dough: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms, taking care not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Layer Dough and Filling: Spread about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared pan as the base layer. Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over this dough layer, then drop small spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the cherry filling to create a crumbly topping.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bars turn lightly golden and set firmly.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set the layers properly.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with the milk or lemon juice until smooth and drizzle this glaze evenly over the cooled bars for an added sweet touch.
- Serve: Once glazed, slice the bars into 16 evenly sized pieces and serve. Enjoy your cherry pie bars as a delightful dessert or snack!
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of almond extract to the dough mixture.
- Store bars covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
