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Cherry Bars Recipe

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4.1 from 52 reviews

Delightful Cherry Bars featuring a soft buttery crust layered with luscious cherry pie filling and topped with a sweet almond glaze. Perfect for a fruity dessert or a cozy snack, these bars bake to golden perfection and deliver a wonderful blend of cinnamon and nutmeg flavors that complement the cherries beautifully.

Ingredients

Bar Batter

  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Filling

  • 21 oz cherry pie filling

Glaze

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2 tbsp milk (adjust as needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 15 x 10 inch baking pan or a 9 x 13 casserole dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking. The choice of pan affects the edges of the bars but not the overall outcome.
  2. Cream Butter, Sugar, and Salt: In a large bowl, use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy, creating the base for a tender bar.
  3. Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth, evenly combined batter.
  4. Add Almond Extract: Mix in the almond extract to infuse the batter with a delicate nutty flavor.
  5. Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour while mixing on low speed to avoid overworking the batter. Once combined, stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg briefly by hand for even spice distribution.
  6. Layer Batter: Spread about 3 cups of the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
  7. Add Cherry Filling: Spoon dollops of the cherry pie filling randomly over the batter layer and smooth gently as best as possible to create a flavorful fruit layer.
  8. Top with Remaining Batter: Drop the remaining batter in spoonfuls over the cherry filling layer, covering the fruit unevenly for a textured top.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  10. Cool: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. This helps the bars to set and makes glazing easier.
  11. Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, almond extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Adjust the milk quantity until the glaze reaches your desired drizzling consistency.
  12. Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars however you like, neat or rustic. Slice into bars and enjoy with a big cherry-loving smile!

Notes

  • You can use either a 15 x 10 inch sheet pan for straight edges or a 9 x 13 casserole dish for a more rustic look.
  • Adjust milk in the glaze for thicker or thinner consistency depending on your drizzle preference.
  • Make sure the bars are completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/cherry-bars-recipe/