Cherry Pie Bars
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Whip up these irresistible Cherry Pie Bars in just 30 minutes. With a buttery, crumbly crust, a luscious cherry filling, and simple ingredients, these bars are a treat no one can resist!
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Perfect Cherry Pie Bars Recipe
While I adore a classic cherry pie, sometimes I want something easier – but just as satisfying. These Cherry Pie Bars are exactly that. They have all the flavors of grandma’s cherry pie but in a fuss-free, easy-to-make form.
When you bite into one of these bars, with their tender crust and luscious cherry center, you’ll see why they’ve become my go-to dessert for any occasion.
Cherry Pie Bars are everything a cherry dessert lover could dream of. They have a buttery, crumbly crust, a sweet and tangy cherry filling, and a golden, crisp topping. With just a few simple ingredients and in just about 35 minutes, you’ll have a tray of delicious bars ready to wow your family and friends.
Why Make These Cherry Pie Bars
- Quick and easy: With only about 10 minutes of prep time, they could not be any easier to make.
- Minimal ingredients: You likely already have most of these staples in your kitchen.
- Crowd-pleaser: They are absolutely delicious! No one can resist the combination of buttery crust and sweet cherry filling. (Especially when served with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream!)
- Customizable: Swap out the cherries for blueberries, apples, or peaches to mix things up.
Ingredients and Substitutions
(Ingredients at a glance; you can find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Flour (2 cups): For the crust. All-purpose flour works best. For a gluten-free option, substitute with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Adds sweetness to the crust. Coconut sugar or light brown sugar can be used for a deeper flavor.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Gives the crust a tender crumb.
- Butter (½ cup, cold): Helps create that irresistible crumbly texture. For a vegan option, use plant-based butter.
- Egg (1): The egg binds the dough together. For a vegan alternative, you can swap this with a flax or chia egg.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds depth of flavor.
- Cherry pie filling (1 can): The star of the recipe. If you prefer to use fresh cherries, you can, but you’ll need to cook them down with sugar and cornstarch first.
How to Make Cherry Pie Bars
1 Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2 Make the Dough: In a medium bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and mix until the dough comes together. The dough will be crumbly.
3 Assemble the Cherry Pie Bars: Press 2/3 of the dough into the prepared 8×8-inch baking dish to form an even layer. Spread one can of cherry pie filling evenly over the dough. Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry pie filling.
4. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.
Recipe Tips
- Use cold butter to create the best crumbly texture for the dough.
- If your dough feels too dry, add water one teaspoon at a time until it holds together better.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing; this helps them set and makes slicing much easier.
- Line your baking dish with parchment for easy removal and less cleanup.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Variations
- Use different pie fillings, such as blueberry, apple, or peach, for a new flavor.
- Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the crumble topping for texture and taste.
- Mix lemon zest into the dough for a fresh, citrusy twist.
- Drizzle the cooled bars with a simple vanilla glaze for added sweetness.
Storage Suggestions
To keep your cherry pie bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week.
If you’ve made a big batch, they freeze beautifully too! Just wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight and serve.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Yes, absolutely! I have found frozen cherries are easiest to work with. Toss the frozen cherries with 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Simmer the cherries over medium heat for about 10 to 12 minutes to create a thick, sweet filling similar to the canned version.
Can I double this recipe?
Definitely! Double the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch pan. Just keep an eye on the baking time; it may take a few extra minutes.
What should I do if the dough is too dry?
If the dough isn’t coming together when pressed, add a small amount of water, one teaspoon at a time, until it holds together better.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can replace the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour. The texture may change slightly, but it still works beautifully.
How would I add a sweet vanilla glaze to the Cherry Pie Bars?
In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar, 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 2-3 Tablespoons of milk until you reach the desired consistency. Then, drizzle over the top of the bars.
More Cherry Dessert Recipes
Did You Make These Cherry Pie Bars?
Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!
Print
Cherry Pie Bars
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 9 – 12 bars 1x
- Category: desserts
- Method: oven
Description
Whip up these irresistible Cherry Pie Bars in just 30 minutes. With a buttery, crumbly crust, a luscious cherry filling, and simple ingredients, these bars are a treat no one can resist!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup butter, cold
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 21oz can cherry pie filling
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and mix until the dough comes together. The dough will be crumbly.
- Press 2/3 of the dough into the prepared 8×8-inch baking dish to form an even layer.
- Spread 1 can of cherry pie filling evenly over the dough.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry pie filling.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.
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