Can I use frozen cherries for these cherry pie bars?

Yes, absolutely! Frozen pitted cherries work wonderfully. There's no need to thaw them beforehand; just mix them directly into the filling ingredients. If using canned cherries, ensure they are well-drained.

How can I prevent my cherry pie bars from becoming soggy?

To prevent sogginess, make sure your cherries are not overly wet. The cornstarch in the filling is crucial for thickening, so don't reduce it. Additionally, allowing the bars to cool completely before slicing helps the filling set properly and prevents a soggy bottom.

Can I make these cherry pie bars ahead of time?

Yes, these cherry pie bars are excellent for making ahead! You can prepare them a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. They taste even better the next day!

What's the best way to store leftover cherry pie bars?

Store any cooled leftover cherry pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For extended freshness, refrigerate them for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months; simply thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Delicious Cherry Pie Bars: The Ultimate Easy Sweet Dessert

Name: Delicious Cherry Pie Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries (no need to thaw if frozen); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust based on cherry sweetness); 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries (no need to thaw if frozen)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust based on cherry sweetness)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
Step 3: Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine the pitted cherries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. If using, stir in the almond extract.
Step 5: Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan.
Step 6: Crumble the remaining one-third of the crust mixture evenly over the cherry filling.
Step 7: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly and set.
Step 8: Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into bars. Cooling fully is crucial for clean, neat cuts.

Notes

For an extra flavor boost, add a touch of lemon zest to the cherry filling. If using very sweet canned pie filling, reduce the sugar in the filling to 1/4 cup or omit it entirely. These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 120mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: cherry pie bars, easy cherry dessert, sweet dessert recipe, fruit bars, pie bars

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

Join Recipes For Home!