“I’ve been making this for years and people lose their mind over this every single time…”
Cherry Pie Bars
These Cherry Pie Bars take all the flavors of a traditional cherry pie and turn them into a simple, shareable dessert. A buttery crust and tender cake-like topping hug a luscious cherry filling, all finished with a silky almond glaze.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter, softened | 1 cup |
| Sugar | 2 cups |
| Eggs | 4 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Almond extract | 1/4 tsp |
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
For the Filling:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cherry pie filling | 2 cans (21 oz each) |
For the Glaze:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Powdered sugar | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1/2 tsp |
| Almond extract | 1/2 tsp |
| Milk | 2 tbsp |
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and flour a 15×10×1-inch baking pan, or coat it with non-stick spray.
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavoring
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is well incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth, thick batter forms.
Step 5: Assemble the Bars
Spread about 3 cups of the batter evenly over the bottom of your prepared pan. Spoon the cherry pie filling over the top, spreading it out evenly. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter across the surface.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If using a 9×13-inch pan, you may need to bake a little longer.)
Step 7: Cool Completely
Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool fully on a wire rack.
Step 8: Prepare the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and both extracts until smooth and pourable.
Step 9: Finish and Serve
Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cooled bars. Let it set, then cut into squares and serve.
