These Cherry Bars are soft, buttery, and filled with sweet-tart cherry goodness. Perfect for holidays, gatherings, or a cozy afternoon treat, these bars feature a golden crust, luscious cherry filling, and a drizzle of vanilla glaze for the perfect finishing touch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll fall in love with these Cherry Bars because they’re simple to make, easy to serve, and absolutely delicious. The buttery base and crumbly top pair beautifully with the cherry filling, creating a dessert that’s both rich and refreshing. Plus, they can easily be customized with your favorite pie filling—think blueberry, apple, or strawberry.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Bars:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but recommended)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons milk (add until drizzle consistency)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan or a 9×13-inch pan for thicker bars.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
Add the flour and salt, stirring just until combined.
Spread about 3 cups of batter evenly in the prepared pan.
Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter.
Drop the remaining batter by spoonfuls over the cherry filling. It won’t cover completely—that’s okay.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely in the pan.
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to make the glaze. Drizzle over the cooled bars before slicing and serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 bars.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 35 minutes
Cooling and glazing time: 30 minutes
Total time: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
Variations
Berry Mix Bars: Combine cherry and blueberry fillings for a fun twist.
Apple Cinnamon Bars: Substitute cherry filling with apple pie filling and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.
Lemon Glaze: Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and zest to the glaze for a citrusy flavor.
Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans on top before baking for extra texture.
Storage/Reheating
Store Cherry Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months—just wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. To enjoy again, let thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade cherry pie filling instead of canned?
Yes, homemade cherry pie filling works wonderfully and adds a fresh, natural flavor to the bars.
2. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can bake them a day in advance and glaze them right before serving.
3. What if I don’t have a jelly roll pan?
A 9×13-inch baking dish works perfectly for thicker bars; just adjust baking time slightly if needed.
4. Can I skip the almond extract?
Yes, it’s optional. However, almond extract enhances the cherry flavor beautifully.
5. How do I know when the bars are done baking?
They’re ready when the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Can I use other pie fillings?
Yes, you can use blueberry, apple, or strawberry filling for a different flavor.
7. How should I cut the bars neatly?
Let the bars cool completely before cutting with a sharp knife for clean edges.
8. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, double all ingredients and bake in two pans or a larger baking sheet if you’re feeding a crowd.
9. What kind of butter should I use?
Use unsalted butter for better control of the salt content in the recipe.
10. Can I make a glaze without milk?
Yes, substitute the milk with water or a dairy-free alternative like almond milk.
Conclusion
Cherry Bars are a timeless dessert that combines buttery layers with a sweet and tangy cherry filling, finished with a light glaze. Easy to prepare and perfect for sharing, these bars are sure to impress at family gatherings, parties, or whenever you crave something sweet and comforting.
These Cherry Bars feature a soft, buttery crust, a sweet-tart cherry filling, and a light vanilla glaze. Perfect for parties or family gatherings, they’re simple to make and bursting with nostalgic flavor.
Ingredients
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Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan or a 9×13-inch pan.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and almond extracts.
Add flour and salt, mixing just until combined.
Spread about 3 cups of batter evenly into the pan.
Spoon cherry pie filling evenly over the batter.
Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls over the top (it won’t cover fully).
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely.
Whisk glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over cooled bars.
Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Use homemade cherry filling for a fresher flavor.
Try blueberry, apple, or mixed berry filling for variation.
Let bars cool completely before glazing or cutting for best texture.
