These Cherry Pie Bars are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert that combines the classic taste of cherry pie with the convenience of a bar-style treat. With a buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a crumbly topping, these bars are perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or a sweet indulgence at home.
Ingredients:
For the Crust and Topping:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cherry Filling:
- 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling (or 3 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted, with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch to thicken)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (if using fresh or frozen cherries)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added brightness)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust and Topping:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Beat the egg and vanilla extract together, then add them to the flour mixture. Stir until combined and the dough starts to come together. It will be a bit crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
2. Press the Dough into the Pan:
- Divide the dough in half. Press half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish to form the crust.
- Set the remaining dough aside for the topping.
3. Prepare the Cherry Filling:
- If you’re using canned cherry pie filling, simply open the can and stir it to combine the cherries and sauce. If you’re using fresh or frozen cherries, mix the cherries with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice (if using). This will help thicken the filling while baking.
4. Assemble the Bars:
- Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry filling to form a crumbly topping.
5. Bake the Cherry Pie Bars:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. The filling will set as it cools.
6. Serve:
- Once cooled, cut the bars into squares and serve. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat!
These Cherry Pie Bars are a perfect combination of tart cherries, buttery crust, and sweet crumbly topping. They’re easy to make, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser!