Cherry Pie Bars Recipe – A Sweet Slice of Comfort That Feels Like Home

There’s something about baked goods wafting through the house that instantly wraps you in a warm hug. Picture this: the sound of laughter echoing in the kitchen, the clattering of dishes, and the delightful aroma of baked Cherry Pie Bars filling the air. These bars have a way of bringing people together — perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in. As you dive into the sweet and tart layers, each bite reminds me of warm summer evenings spent in Grandma’s kitchen.

Why You’ll Love It

• Quick and easy to make: Just a few steps and you have a delicious treat!
• Comforting homemade flavor: Perfectly sweet with a hint of tart cherry goodness.
• Made with simple ingredients: No fancy pantry items needed!
• Great for any occasion: Birthdays, holidays, or just because!
• Always a crowd-pleaser: Who can resist a cherry dessert?

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup Butter, softened (Use unsalted butter for better control over saltiness)
• 2 cups Sugar (Sweetness that balances perfectly with the tangy cherries)
• 4 Eggs (Give that tender texture)
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (A classic flavor booster)
• 1/4 tsp Almond Extract (Adds a delightful twist)
• 3 cups All-Purpose Flour (The foundation for our bars)
• 1 tsp Salt (Brings out all the flavors)
• 2 cans Cherry Pie Filling (21 oz each) (Sweet and tart — the star of the show)
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar (For the dreamy glaze)
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract (More deliciousness!)
• 1/2 tsp Almond Extract (Double down on that wonderful flavor)
• 2 tbsp Milk (To get the perfect glaze consistency)

How to Make It

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming, grease and flour a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. This is an essential step that helps prevent sticking!

2. Cream together the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until it’s light and fluffy — this is where the magic begins! Think of it as the canvas for our cherry masterpiece.

3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. You’ll notice the mixture coming together beautifully.

4. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Take a moment to inhale that delightful smell; it’s like a hug from your favorite bakery!

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Then, gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. Mix until just combined — we don’t want to overwork it, or our bars could turn out tough.

6. Spread 3 cups of the batter evenly in the prepared pan. You may need to use a spatula to get into all the corners.

7. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter. Let the cherries shine — they deserve it!

8. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry filling. No perfection needed here; just let it fall wherever it wants.

9. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. That sweet aroma? It’s your cue that something delicious is happening!

10. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack. Patience isn’t easy, but trust me, it’s worth it.

11. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth. You want it just right — not too thick, not too runny.

12. Once the bars are cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. Let that glaze set before cutting into squares.

Kitchen Tips

• Time-saving trick: Use canned cherry pie filling for an easy shortcut. It saves time and still tastes fantastic!

• Fix for a common mistake: If your batter gets too thick, a splash of milk can help loosen it up. Just add a tablespoon at a time.

• Creative twist: Toss in some chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon in the batter for an extra pop of flavor.

Serving Ideas

These Cherry Pie Bars are perfect for almost any occasion. Serve them up at a family dinner, as a sweet treat for Sunday brunch, or even as a comforting delight during movie night. Consider pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent finish. Trust me, the balance of warm bars and cold cream is simply heavenly!

Storing & Leftovers

• Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

• To reheat, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds without losing that tender texture.

• Fun leftover idea: Chop them up and mix them into some yogurt or oatmeal. A cherry-infused breakfast? Yes, please!

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Definitely! It often tastes even better the next day.

Q: Can I swap any ingredients?
A: Of course! Use what you have — this recipe is very forgiving.

Q: What’s the best way to serve it?
A: Fresh from the pan, while it’s still warm and aromatic.

Q: How do I know it’s perfectly cooked?
A: Look for golden edges and that delicious, fragrant smell — that’s your sign!

Final Thoughts

These Cherry Pie Bars hold a special place in my heart. They remind me of family dinners filled with laughter and love. When I share the first batch with friends, it feels like I’m spreading joy. I encourage you to make this recipe your own. Add those personal touches, gather your loved ones, and let the comforting aroma fill your home. You’ll create memories that linger long after the last bite of those delightful Cherry Pie Bars.

Cherry Pie Bars

Delicious Cherry Pie Bars with sweet and tart layers, perfect for any occasion and reminiscent of warm family gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 12 bars

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the bars

• 1 cup Butter, softened Use unsalted butter for better control over saltiness.
• 2 cups Sugar Sweetness that balances perfectly with the tangy cherries.
• 4 pieces Eggs Give that tender texture.
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract A classic flavor booster.
• 1/4 tsp Almond Extract Adds a delightful twist.
• 3 cups All-Purpose Flour The foundation for our bars.
• 1 tsp Salt Brings out all the flavors.
• 2 cans Cherry Pie Filling (21 oz each) Sweet and tart — the star of the show.

For the glaze

• 1 cup Powdered Sugar For the dreamy glaze.
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract More deliciousness!
• 1/2 tsp Almond Extract Double down on that wonderful flavor.
• 2 tbsp Milk To get the perfect glaze consistency.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
2. Cream together the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then gradually add to the creamed mixture. Mix until just combined.
6. Spread 3 cups of the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
7. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter.
8. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry filling.

Baking

1. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
2. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack.

Glazing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth.
2. Once the bars are cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top and let it set before cutting into squares.

Notes

For a time-saving trick, use canned cherry pie filling. If your batter gets too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it up. Consider adding chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra pop of flavor.