Description
These Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful twist on the classic cherry pie, offering a buttery, tender crust layered with sweet cherry pie filling and finished with a smooth vanilla-almond glaze. Perfect for gatherings or a simple dessert, they combine rich flavors and an easy preparation method suitable for bakers of all levels.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bars:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups cherry pie filling
For the Glaze:
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Cream: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until the batter is smooth and combined.
- Combine: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until fully incorporated to form a thick batter.
- Assemble: Spread about 3 cups of the batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter. Then spoon the remaining batter in dollops on top of the cherry layer, distributing it as evenly as possible.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the bars comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- Glaze: While the bars are cooling, whisk together the vanilla extract, almond extract, powdered sugar, and 2 to 3 teaspoons of milk until a smooth, pourable glaze forms. Drizzle this glaze evenly over the cooled bars. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the bars are completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and becoming too runny.
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings like blueberry or apple for variety.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for easier mixing and better texture.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a nut-free option, omit almond extract or replace it with additional vanilla extract.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
