I love whipping a tray of these Christmas bars up! Everyone was thrilled by the outcome!

🍒 Festive Cherry Dessert Bars

These festive cherry dessert bars bring together a tender, buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a silky almond glaze—making them a perfect treat for the holiday season. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just craving something sweet, these bars are a guaranteed hit.

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🧁 Ingredients

For the Bars:

Ingredient	Amount
Unsalted Butter (softened)	1 cup
Granulated Sugar	2 cups
Salt	1 teaspoon
Large Eggs	4
Vanilla Extract	1 teaspoon
Almond Extract	¼ teaspoon
All-Purpose Flour	3 cups
Cherry Pie Filling	2 cans (21 oz each)

For the Glaze:

Ingredient	Amount
Powdered Sugar	1 cup
Vanilla Extract	½ teaspoon
Almond Extract	½ teaspoon
Milk	2–3 tablespoons

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🍽️ Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep:
   Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar:
   In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture is fluffy and light in color.
3. Add Eggs & Flavorings:
   Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts.
4. Incorporate Flour:
   Gradually stir in the flour until fully combined, forming a soft dough.
5. Build the Base:
   Spread about 3 cups of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the bottom layer.
6. Add the Cherry Layer:
   Spoon the cherry pie filling over the dough base, spreading it gently and evenly.
7. Top with Dough:
   Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining dough on top of the cherry filling—don’t worry about covering it completely.
8. Bake:
   Place in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
9. Cool Completely:
   Remove from the oven and let the bars cool fully in the pan.
10. Make the Glaze:
    Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and almond extract until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
11. Glaze the Bars:
    Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled bars.
12. Cut & Serve:
    Slice into bars or squares and enjoy your festive treat!