Description
Sweet and Simple Cherry Pie Bars are an irresistible dessert made from a buttery, crumbly crust with a smooth and tart cherry filling. The topping is finished off with a delightful almond glaze, creating a balanced combination of textures and flavors. The best part? They are incredibly simple to make and require no fancy techniques, which is why they’re a favorite for casual baking and special occasions alike.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
- Cream butter & sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs & flavor: Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla and almond extracts.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt, then gradually mix it into the wet ingredients until fully combined.
- Assemble the bars: Spread 3 cups of batter evenly over the pan. Spoon cherry pie filling over the batter, then drop the remaining batter in spoonfuls over the cherries.
- Bake: Cook for 30-35 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool & prepare glaze: Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack. Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle & serve: Drizzle the sweet glaze over the bars, let it set, then cut into squares.
Notes
These cherry pie bars taste even better the next day once the flavors have settled. You can switch things up by using blueberry or raspberry pie filling for a fun twist. Don’t forget a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top before serving — it takes them to the next level!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sweet and Simple Cherry Pie Bars