Description
Delicious Cherry Pie Bars featuring a buttery crust, sweet cherry pie filling, and a smooth vanilla-almond glaze. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, these bars combine the classic flavors of cherry pie in a convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Batter
- 1 cup softened unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan with pan spray and set it aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add 4 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then beat in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon of almond extract to infuse flavorful notes into the batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Gradually add this flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, stirring until all ingredients are fully combined into a smooth batter.
- Assemble Bars: Spread about 3 cups of the batter evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Carefully top the batter with the two 21-ounce cans of cherry pie filling, spreading it evenly across the surface. Using the remaining batter, drop dollops evenly over the cherry filling to cover as much as possible.
- Bake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the top comes out clean and the top has turned a light golden brown. If using a 15 x 10-inch pan, reduce baking time to about 30 minutes. Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing.
- Prepare and Add Glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract, and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled bars to add sweetness and a glossy finish.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the right batter consistency.
- Use a pan spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cherry pie filling can be substituted with other fruit fillings, such as blueberry or apple, for variety.
- For a thinner crust, try using a 15 x 10-inch pan; adjust bake time accordingly.
- Let the bars cool completely before applying the glaze to prevent it from melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
