Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling are a delightful and convenient way to enjoy the classic flavor of cherry pie without the fuss of a traditional crust. This recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s both simple to make and incredibly satisfying.
Key Ingredients for Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling:
- For the Crust and Topping:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- For the Cherry Pie Filling:
- 2 (21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for a thicker filling)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for enhanced cherry flavor)
- Optional Garnish:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
How to Make Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling:
These Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling are wonderfully easy to prepare, making them a go-to dessert for any occasion. The buttery shortbread-like base provides a perfect foundation for the juicy, sweet cherry filling, topped with a crumble that adds a delightful texture. This recipe comes together in about 20 minutes of active preparation and bakes for approximately 35-45 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust and Topping Mixture:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting. This will make removing the bars much simpler once they are baked. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Some pea-sized pieces of butter are perfectly fine, as this will contribute to the flaky texture of the base and topping.
2. Press the Base Layer into the Pan:
Reserve about 1 ½ cups of this crumb mixture for the topping. Take the remaining crumb mixture and firmly press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base crust. Ensure it’s well compacted and covers the entire base of the pan for a solid foundation.
3. Prepare the Cherry Pie Filling:
Open the two cans of cherry pie filling. If you prefer a thicker filling that holds its shape a bit better, you can stir in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. In a separate bowl, gently stir the cherry pie filling with the lemon juice and almond extract if you are using it. The lemon juice brightens the cherry flavor, while the almond extract adds a subtle, complementary richness that enhances the overall taste of the pie filling.
4. Assemble the Bars:
Pour the prepared cherry pie filling evenly over the pressed crust in the baking pan. Spread it out gently with a spatula to create a uniform layer.
5. Add the Topping:
Evenly sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cherry pie filling. This creates the signature crumble topping that makes these bars so appealing.
6. Bake the Cherry Pie Bars:
Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges. Cooking time can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it.
7. Cool and Cut:
Once baked, carefully remove the pan from the oven and let the Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling cool completely on a wire rack. This is a crucial step, especially for cutting. Allowing them to cool fully will help the filling set and prevent the bars from falling apart when you cut them. Once completely cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan, or cut them directly in the pan. Cut them into your desired bar size. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling:
You’ll adore these Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling for their delightful balance of sweet, tart cherry goodness nestled atop a buttery, crumbly base. Unlike a traditional pie that can be time-consuming, these bars offer all the beloved flavors of cherry pie in a conveniently portioned and easy-to-serve format, making them a fantastic weeknight dessert option or a potluck star. The combination of a tender shortbread-like crust and a vibrant, luscious cherry filling is simply irresistible, offering a comforting yet exciting taste experience.
Making these Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling at home saves you money compared to buying them from a bakery and allows you to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a truly homemade taste that’s both budget-friendly and delicious. The ease of preparation means you can whip up a batch even on a busy schedule, and the optional dollop of vanilla ice cream or a dusting of powdered sugar elevates them to something truly special. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to experience the joy of these incredible cherry bars – you won’t regret it!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
- Refrigeration: Properly stored Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling will keep fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the bars have cooled completely before storing them to prevent condensation from making the crust soggy.
- Freezing: For longer storage, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, you can enjoy them at room temperature, or warm them slightly. For a warm bar, place a single bar on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 10-20 seconds in the microwave, or warm in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes until heated through. For frozen bars, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or enjoying.
Final Thoughts:
These Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling are a delightful testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavors. They’re the perfect solution for satisfying your cherry pie cravings with minimal effort. Give them a try; you’ll be so glad you did!
Cherry Pie Bars with Cherry Pie Filling
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup unsalted butter
- Reserve about 1 ½ cups of this crumb mixture for the topping. Take the remaining crumb mixture and firmly press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base crust.
- Open the two cans of cherry pie filling. If you prefer a thicker filling, stir in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. In a separate bowl, gently stir the cherry pie filling with the lemon juice and almond extract if using.2 21 ounce cans cherry pie filling, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- Pour the prepared cherry pie filling evenly over the pressed crust in the baking pan. Spread it out gently with a spatula.2 21 ounce cans cherry pie filling
- Evenly sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cherry pie filling to create the crumble topping.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Once baked, carefully remove the pan from the oven and let the cherry pie bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting.
- Cut them into your desired bar size. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream if you like.powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream