Description
These Cherry Pie Bars combine a rich, buttery crust with sweet and tangy cherry pie filling, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a dessert or snack, these bars offer the comforting flavors of traditional cherry pie in an easy-to-slice, shareable format.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust and Batter
- 2 sticks of butter – softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup milk
For the Filling and Topping
- 2 cans cherry pie filling
- Extra sugar for sprinkling
- Extra flour for pressing dough into the dish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make slicing easier.
- Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy to create a smooth texture. Add flour, salt, and baking powder and mix until smooth. Pour in the milk and blend until fully combined into a thick dough.
- Form the Base Layer: Spread half of the batter evenly across the prepared baking dish’s bottom layer. Use extra flour on your spoon to prevent sticking while spreading.
- Add Cherry Filling: Sprinkle a little sugar over the base layer for extra sweetness. Pour both cans of cherry pie filling evenly over the dough, then sprinkle a bit more sugar on top.
- Top with Remaining Batter: Drop heaping tablespoons of the remaining batter over the cherry filling. Gently spread with the back of a spoon or fingers; the dough need not fully cover the cherries for a rustic look.
- Final Sugar Sprinkle and Bake: Sprinkle more sugar on top before placing the dish in the oven. Bake for 35-45 minutes until the golden crust forms and a toothpick inserted comes out clean; cherry filling should bubble around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Let bars cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. For neater slices, chill in the refrigerator before cutting. Serve warm or cold and enjoy!
Notes
- Using softened butter is key for creaming and texture.
- Sprinkling sugar on each layer enhances sweetness and adds a slight crunch on top.
- Flouring your spoon helps spread thick batter without sticking.
- Chilling the bars after baking ensures clean slices.
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with homemade or other fruit fillings if desired.
