Cherry Pie Bars are the perfect blend of buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a luscious glaze. Easy to make, irresistibly delicious, and perfect for any occasion!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make – No need to roll out pie dough.
- Perfect balance of sweet and tart – Sour cherries and brown sugar create a delicious contrast.
- Versatile – Great for gatherings, picnics, or a sweet treat at home.
- Convenient – Can be prepared ahead of time and easily transported.
Ingredients
For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 and 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 cups (120g) old-fashioned rolled oats (reserve 2 tablespoons for topping)
- 1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, melted
For the Cherry Filling:
- 3 and 1/2 cups (about 525g) frozen sour cherries (do not thaw)
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch
For the Almond Icing (Optional):
- 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) milk
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
Prepare the Crust and Topping:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats (remember to reserve 2 tablespoons for later), brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest if using.
- Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture is well combined and crumbly.
- Set aside about 1 cup of this mixture for the topping.
- Press the remaining mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside.
Prepare the Cherry Filling:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the frozen sour cherries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Stir occasionally until the cherries release their juices and the mixture begins to simmer, about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the warm cherry liquid to create a slurry.
- Pour the slurry back into the saucepan with the cherries, stirring constantly.
- Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the cherry filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of oats to the set-aside crumble mixture, then sprinkle this over the cherry filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the Almond Icing (Optional):
- In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the icing over the cooled bars before cutting into squares.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 16 bars
- Calories per serving: Approximately 250 kcal
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Best served at room temperature or slightly warmed in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
Yes! Pit and halve fresh cherries, and adjust cooking time as needed.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute and certified gluten-free oats.
What other fruits can I use?
Try blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of berries for variation.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, use a dairy-free butter alternative and a plant-based milk for the icing.
Do I have to use almond extract?
No, you can substitute vanilla extract if preferred.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The topping should be golden brown, and the filling should be bubbling around the edges.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Yes, but reducing sugar may affect the texture and sweetness of the bars.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, these bars can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
What is the best way to cut these bars cleanly?
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for neat squares.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, bake in a 9×13-inch pan and adjust the baking time accordingly.
Conclusion
These Cherry Pie Bars are perfect for gatherings, picnics, or as a delightful dessert at home. They are easy to transport, slice, and serve, making them a versatile addition to any occasion. Enjoy the classic flavors of cherry pie in a convenient bar form!
Print
Cherry Pie Bars
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cherry Pie Bars blend buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a luscious glaze. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (120g) old-fashioned rolled oats (reserve 2 tbsp for topping)
- 1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, melted
For the Cherry Filling:
- 3 ½ cups (about 525g) frozen sour cherries (do not thaw)
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch
For the Almond Icing (Optional):
- ½ cup (60g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) milk
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust and Topping:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats (reserve 2 tbsp), brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest.
- Pour in melted butter and stir until crumbly. Set aside 1 cup of this mixture for the topping.
- Press the remaining mixture firmly into the baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine frozen cherries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice.
- Stir occasionally until cherries release juices and simmer, about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp warm cherry liquid to create a slurry.
- Pour slurry back into the saucepan, stirring constantly.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the cherry filling evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Mix reserved 2 tbsp oats into the set-aside crumble mixture, then sprinkle over cherry filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
- Let bars cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the Almond Icing (Optional):
- In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, and almond extract.
- Drizzle icing over cooled bars before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Fresh cherries can be used instead of frozen.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American