Description
These Sweet Cherry Pie Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust, a luscious layer of sweet cherry filling, and a crumbly topping that captures the nostalgic flavors of cherry pie in an easy-to-serve bar form. Perfect for dessert parties or an indulgent treat any time!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- Pinch of salt
For the Filling:
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (use homemade if preferred)
- (Optional: 1 tbsp cornstarch if using fresh/frozen cherries)
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, a pinch of salt, and cold cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to mix until the mixture becomes crumbly. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 10 minutes to set.
- Add Filling: Remove the pan from the oven and spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the hot crust.
- Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, beat together 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup softened butter, and almond extract (if using) until crumbly. Evenly sprinkle the topping over the cherry layer.
- Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden.
- Cool & Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment overhang. Cut into 12 bars and serve.
Notes
- If using homemade cherry filling with fresh or frozen cherries, mix cherries with sugar, a squeeze of lemon juice, and cornstarch; simmer until thickened before using.
- These bars are best served at room temperature or chilled.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: ~250 kcal
- Sugar: ~18 g
- Sodium: ~150 mg
- Fat: ~12 g
- Saturated Fat: ~7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~5 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~30 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~3 g
- Cholesterol: ~30 mg