If you’re searching for a festive, homemade delight to brighten your holiday celebrations, look no further than the Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning Recipe. This bar recipe combines a buttery, tender crust with luscious cherry pie filling and a sweet glaze that melts in your mouth. It’s elegant enough to impress guests yet simple to make, offering layers of flavor and texture that feel like a warm hug on a cold winter morning. Whether you’re serving it as a breakfast treat or a dessert, these cherry bars perfectly capture the spirit of Christmas with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for straightforward pantry staples and a couple of special touches that make all the difference. Each ingredient plays an essential role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive color, turning simple components into an unforgettable treat.
- Butter (1 cup, softened): Provides richness and a tender crumb to the dough, making it flaky and flavorful.
- Sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the dough and balances the tartness of the cherry filling.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Large eggs (4): Bind the ingredients together while adding moisture and structure.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon): Adds warm, aromatic flavor in both the dough and glaze.
- Almond extract (1/4 teaspoon + 1/2 teaspoon): Introduces a subtle nutty essence that beautifully complements the cherries.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): The main structure of the bars; key to achieving the right texture.
- Cherry pie filling (2 cans, 21 ounces each): Bursting with cherries and syrupy sweetness, this is the star of the recipe.
- Confectioners’ sugar (1 cup): Used for the glaze, adding sweetness and a delicate finish.
- Whole milk (2 to 3 tablespoons): Adjusts the glaze consistency for perfect drizzling.
How to Make Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s the perfect temperature when you’re ready to bake. Then, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture is light, fluffy, and irresistibly creamy. This step is where the foundation of your bars takes shape, setting the stage for a tender, buttery base.
Step 2: Incorporate the Eggs and Extracts
Next, beat in four eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully mixed in before adding the next. This gradual method creates a smooth batter that holds its shape beautifully. Now add the vanilla and almond extracts to infuse the dough with those warm, comforting aromas that make Christmas mornings so special.
Step 3: Blend in the Flour
Gradually stir in the flour until the dough is just combined. This careful mixing prevents overworking, which could toughen the bars. The goal is a soft, easy-to-spread dough that will bake up perfectly tender with a slight crisp on edges.
Step 4: Assemble the Bars
Press three cups of the dough evenly into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. The dough will form the sturdy base to support the cherry filling, so spread it gently but firmly. Next, layer the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough, letting its ruby-red juices promise sweetness with every bite. Finally, drop the remaining dough by teaspoonfuls over the filling, creating a charming, rustic “patchwork” top that will brown nicely during baking.
Step 5: Bake and Glaze
Bake the assembled bars for 35 to 40 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly. Once done, cool the bars completely on a wire rack. While waiting, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, almond extracts, and whole milk to make a luscious glaze. Drizzle this over the cooled bars for a sweet finishing touch that glistens like holiday magic.
How to Serve Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning Recipe
Garnishes
To make your cherry bars even more festive, sprinkle a little extra confectioners’ sugar on top for a snowy effect. Fresh cherries or a few chopped toasted almonds paired on the side add vibrant color and texture, elevating the presentation to holiday showstopper status. A few sprigs of fresh mint can also bring a hint of refreshing brightness.
Side Dishes
These cherry bars pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or a mug of spiced hot chocolate, perfect for cozy mornings. If serving as a dessert, consider a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream alongside to balance the tartness with creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving cherry bars at your Christmas brunch? Cut them into small bite-sized squares and arrange them on a festive platter with holiday-themed cupcake liners. For a charming twist, place a single fresh cherry on each mini bar. You might also layer crumbled bars in a glass trifle bowl with whipped cream and cherry compote for a show-stopping dessert presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover bars stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them moist and flavorful. For longer storage, refrigerate to extend their freshness up to a week. Whenever you open the container, the tempting aroma is sure to draw hungry family or guests.
Freezing
If you want to make these bars ahead of time, they freeze beautifully. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen bars keep well for up to three months and thaw quickly at room temperature when you’re ready to indulge.
Reheating
For freshly baked warmth, reheat bars in a low oven (about 300°F/150°C) for 10 minutes or until just heated through. You can also microwave a piece for 15 to 20 seconds, but be careful not to overheat or the glaze may soften too much. Warm bars bring out the luscious flavors and that irresistible “just-baked” feeling.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries instead of canned cherry pie filling?
While you can use frozen cherries, canned pie filling is recommended because it already contains the perfect amount of sweet syrup and thickener to keep the bars moist and flavorful. If you use frozen cherries, you may need to add sugar and a thickening agent like cornstarch to mimic the pie filling’s texture.
Is almond extract necessary for this recipe?
Almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor that complements the cherries beautifully and enhances the holiday vibe. However, if you don’t have it on hand or prefer not to use it, you can omit it or replace it with an equal amount of extra vanilla extract.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for structure. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious and festive.
How long do these bars keep their freshness?
At room temperature in an airtight container, the bars will stay fresh for about three days. Refrigeration extends this up to a week. Beyond that, the texture and flavor begin to decline, so freezing is your best option for preservation.
What causes the topping to not brown evenly?
Uneven browning often happens if the topping is not distributed uniformly or if the oven heat varies. Make sure to drop the dough evenly in small spoonfuls and check that your oven temperature is accurate. Rotating the pan halfway through baking can also help achieve uniform color.
Final Thoughts
Ready to add a little magic to your holiday mornings? The Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning Recipe is the perfect way to do just that. It’s a warm, inviting bar bursting with bright cherries, buttery dough, and a sweet glaze that promises smiles at every bite. Whether you’re making it for your family, friends, or yourself, these bars bring the spirit of the season right to your table. Go ahead and give it a try—you might just find your new Christmas morning tradition!
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Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
Description
These Cherry Bars are a delightful sweet treat perfect for Christmas morning or any festive occasion. Featuring a buttery crust layered with luscious cherry pie filling and topped with a delicate glaze, these bars offer a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors. Easy to prepare and sure to please a crowd, they provide a classic holiday dessert that’s both comforting and visually appealing.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
For the Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the bars evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a tender base for your bars.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully blend them into the mixture and aid in the structure of the dough.
- Add Extracts: Beat in vanilla and almond extracts to infuse the dough with aromatic flavors that complement the cherry filling.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and mix until the dough is well combined and forms a slightly sticky batter.
- Prepare Base Layer: Spread 3 cups of the dough evenly into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan, creating an even layer that will support the filling.
- Add Cherry Filling: Evenly spread the cherry pie filling over the dough base, ensuring the filling reaches the edges to prevent dryness.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Drop the remaining dough by teaspoonfuls over the cherry filling in an even pattern to allow some filling to peek through.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the dough portions comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to set and make glazing easier.
- Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, mix together confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of whole milk until you reach a smooth, drizzling consistency.
- Glaze Bars: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled cherry bars to add a sweet finishing touch that enhances appearance and flavor.
Notes
- Use softened butter to ensure smooth creaming and better dough texture.
- Be careful not to overbake; bars should be golden but moist.
- Adjust the milk in the glaze to reach desired drizzling consistency.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before glazing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
