Cherry Pie Bars

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Here’s a complete, detailed recipe for Cherry Pie Bars — including introduction, history, formation, full ingredients, instructions, methods, and even a sweet conclusion for dessert lovers! 🍒

Introduction

Cherry Pie Bars are the perfect dessert for anyone who loves fruity, sweet treats that combine the best of pie and cake. With a buttery shortbread-like crust, a sweet cherry filling, and a luscious glaze, these bars are a nostalgic classic. They’re easy to make, serve a crowd, and are especially popular during holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings.

History & Formation

  • Origin: Fruit-filled bar desserts became popular in the mid-20th century when bakers sought easy alternatives to pies. These bars mimic the flavors of cherry pie but are much easier to bake and cut into squares.
  • Formation: The beauty of these bars is in their layers—a soft crust, a fruity middle, and a drizzle of glaze on top. The method uses a simple creaming process for the dough and a layer of canned cherry pie filling for convenience and flavor.

Ingredients (Makes about 24 bars)

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract (optional for flavor boost)
  • 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

For the Filling:

  • 1 (21 oz / 595 g) can cherry pie filling

For the Glaze:

  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp milk (or heavy cream)
  • ½ tsp almond extract (optional)

Method & Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
  2. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla and almond extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture until fully combined.

Step 2: Assemble the Bars

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15×10-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. Spread two-thirds of the dough evenly in the prepared pan.
  3. Spoon the cherry pie filling over the dough, spreading it out evenly.
  4. Drop the remaining dough by spoonfuls over the filling (it won’t cover completely, and that’s okay).

Step 3: Bake

  • Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted near the center (not through the filling) comes out clean.
  • Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 4: Glaze & Finish

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth.
  2. Drizzle glaze over the cooled bars.
  3. Cut into squares and serve.

Tips for Lovers of Cherry Bars ❤️

  • Make it your own: Swap cherry pie filling for blueberry, raspberry, or mixed berries for a flavor twist.
  • Extra sweetness: Sprinkle sliced almonds on top for added crunch and presentation.
  • Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. These bars also freeze well for up to 2 months!

Conclusion

These Cherry Pie Bars combine the best parts of a fruit pie with the convenience of a bar dessert. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, and everyday indulgence, they’re a real crowd-pleaser for dessert lovers everywhere!

🔥 Want me to make this even bigger with:
✅ History of cherry desserts
✅ Nutrition facts per bar
✅ Social media caption with trending hashtags
✅ Plating & serving ideas

Should I prepare that version for you? Or create a printable recipe card with full design?

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