Cherry Pie Bars

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Of course! Cherry Pie Bars are a fantastic, easy-to-make dessert that captures all the flavor of a classic cherry pie but in a portable, shareable bar form. They’re perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or a simple treat at home.

Here are two excellent recipes: one from scratch and a super easy version using cake mix.

Recipe 1: Classic Cherry Pie Bars (From Scratch)

This recipe yields a buttery, shortbread-like crust and topping with a gooey cherry pie filling center.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 35-45 minutes
Servings: 12-16 bars

Ingredients

For the Crust & Topping:

· 3 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
· 1 cup granulated sugar
· ½ teaspoon salt
· 1 large egg
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 teaspoon almond extract (highly recommended for that classic cherry pie flavor!)

For the Filling:

· 2 (21 oz) cans cherry pie filling (or your favorite flavor like apple or blueberry)

For the Glaze (Optional):

· 1 cup powdered sugar
· 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream
· ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. Make the Crust/Topping: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  4. Form the Dough: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be thick and crumbly, like a sugar cookie dough.
  5. Press the Crust: Reserve about 1½ cups of the dough for the topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan.
  6. Add the Filling: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
  7. Add the Topping: Take the reserved dough and crumble it evenly over the cherry pie filling. Don’t worry about covering it completely; gaps are good!
  8. Bake: Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown.
  9. Cool Completely: This is crucial! Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. If you try to cut them while warm, they will be messy.
  10. Glaze and Serve: Once cool, whisk together the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the bars. Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe 2: Easy Cake Mix Cherry Pie Bars

This is the ultimate shortcut recipe with minimal effort and maximum reward.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 25-30 minutes
Servings: 12-16 bars

Ingredients

· 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or white cake mix
· 1 large egg
· ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
· 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
· ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but great)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, egg, and softened butter. Mix until a soft, crumbly dough forms. It will be thick.
  3. Press the Crust: Reserve about ¾ cup of the dough for the topping. Press the remaining dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  4. Add Flavor to Filling (Optional): Stir the almond extract into the can of cherry pie filling.
  5. Layer: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust.
  6. Add the Topping: Crumble the reserved dough evenly over the top of the cherry layer.
  7. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Pro Tips for Perfect Bars

· Cooling is Key: Patience is a virtue here. Let the bars cool completely to set the filling and make clean cuts possible. For even cleaner cuts, you can chill them in the refrigerator for an hour before slicing.
· Use a Serrated Knife: For the cleanest cuts through the crumbly top and gooey filling, use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion.
· Homemade Filling: If you have fresh or frozen cherries, you can make a quick filling. Simmer 4 cups of pitted cherries with ¾ cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, and a splash of lemon juice and water until thickened.
· Add Nuts: Sprinkle ½ cup of sliced almonds or chopped pecans over the crumble topping before baking for extra crunch and flavor.
· Serving Suggestion: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate à la mode experience!

Enjoy your delicious, easy Cherry Pie Bars

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