Why Make This Recipe
Easy Cherry Bars are a delightful treat that brings together the sweetness of cherry pie filling with a soft, buttery base. They are perfect for gatherings, picnics, or just a simple dessert at home. The bright color and fruity flavor make them appealing to everyone. Plus, they are quick and easy to make, which is a bonus for busy bakers!
How to Make Easy Cherry Bars
To get started, you’ll want to ensure you have all your ingredients ready. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’ll need and the steps to follow.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for glaze)
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (for glaze)
- 2-3 tbsp whole milk (for glaze)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the bowl and mix until the mixture is smooth.
- Gradually add the flour while mixing until everything is well combined.
- Spread 2 cups of the dough into a greased 15×10-inch pan. Ensure the layer is even.
- Pour the cherry pie filling over the dough, spreading it out evenly.
- Drop the remaining dough by teaspoonfuls over the cherry filling.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown.
- Once baked, let them cool completely before drizzling with the glaze made from powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk.
How to Serve Easy Cherry Bars
Once your Easy Cherry Bars are cool, slice them into squares. They are great served plain or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. You can also serve them with whipped cream or fresh cherries on top for a fun presentation!
How to Store Easy Cherry Bars
Store any leftover Easy Cherry Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Just make sure they are completely cool before sealing them up!
Tips to Make Easy Cherry Bars
- For best results, use room temperature butter and eggs; they mix better.
- You can sprinkle some chopped nuts over the cherry filling for added crunch.
- If you love almond flavor, you can add a bit more almond extract to the dough or glaze.
Variation
You can switch out the cherry pie filling for other flavors like blueberry or peach. Feel free to experiment with different fruit toppings to create your own unique bars!
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries but you’ll need to cook them down with some sugar to make a filling-like mixture first.
2. Can I freeze Easy Cherry Bars?
Yes, you can freeze them! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, and they can last for up to three months in the freezer.
3. How can I make the glaze thinner?
If your glaze is too thick, simply add more milk a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
Easy Cherry Bars
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 cup butter, softened Use room temperature for best mixing results.
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs Use room temperature for best mixing results.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 2-3 tbsp whole milk Add more for a thinner glaze.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract; mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the flour while mixing until well combined.
- Spread 2 cups of the dough into a greased 15x10-inch pan, ensuring the layer is even.
- Pour the cherry pie filling over the dough, spreading evenly.
- Drop the remaining dough by teaspoonfuls over the cherry filling.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before drizzling with the glaze made from powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk.