Description
These Cherry Pie Bars combine a rich, buttery crust with luscious cherry pie filling, baked to golden perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for sharing, these bars offer a delightful twist on traditional cherry pie with a rustic, homemade appeal that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Dough
- 2 sticks of butter – softened
- 2 cups of sugar
- 2 eggs
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- Extra flour for pressing dough into the dish
Filling
- 2 cans of cherry pie filling
- Extra sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and to help ensure easy slicing later.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates a soft texture in the crust. Next, add the flour, salt, and baking powder, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Finally, pour in the milk and blend until fully combined.
- Form the Base Layer: Take half of the dough and spread it evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. The batter is thick, so you may want to dip your spoon into some extra flour to prevent sticking while spreading.
- Add Sugar and Cherry Filling: Sprinkle a layer of sugar over the base dough for extra sweetness. Pour one can of cherry pie filling evenly over the dough, then follow with the second can of cherry pie filling, spreading it evenly to cover the base. Lightly sprinkle more sugar on top of the cherry filling.
- Top Layer of Dough: Using a spoon, drop heaping tablespoons of the remaining dough over the cherry filling. Gently spread or pat down the dough over the cherries with the back of the spoon or your fingers, but it can remain somewhat rustic and uncovered.
- Final Sugar Sprinkle and Bake: Sprinkle a little more sugar on top of the dough. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the dough comes out clean. The top should be golden brown, and the cherry filling should be bubbling at the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing. For neater slices, chill them in the refrigerator before cutting. Serve warm or cold and enjoy the luscious cherry bars.
Notes
- Softened butter is crucial for creaming with sugar to achieve the right texture in the crust.
- Extra flour helps prevent sticking when spreading thick dough.
- Sprinkling sugar between layers enhances sweetness and adds slight crunch.
- Rustic topping is traditional and adds to the charm of the bars.
- Chilling before slicing can improve cutting and presentation.
- Leftover bars store well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
