Get ready to delight your taste buds with these irresistible Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars! This recipe delivers a delightful fusion of tart cherries, creamy cheesecake swirls, and a buttery crumb topping, making it a perfect make-ahead treat for any occasion.
Key Ingredients for Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars
- For the Crust and Crumble Topping:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- For the Cherry Pie Filling:
- 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (if not already thickened)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, to brighten flavor)
- For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars
These Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars are a dream come true for any dessert lover, offering a delightful balance of sweet, tart, and creamy flavors in every bite. They are incredibly easy to assemble, requiring just a few basic steps and minimal fuss, making them perfect for busy bakers. The rich, buttery crumb topping, luscious cherry filling, and smooth cream cheese layer come together beautifully for a satisfying treat that’s ready in approximately 30 minutes of prep time, with a bake time of around 40-45 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later.
- Make the Crumb Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Form the Crust: Reserve about 1 ½ cups of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and ½ cup granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Assemble the Layers: Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the prepared crust. Then, dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cherry filling. Gently swirl the cream cheese into the cherry filling using a knife or toothpick, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to over-mix.
- Add the Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the reserved 1 ½ cups of crumb mixture evenly over the top of the cream cheese and cherry layers.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown and the cream cheese layer is set and no longer jiggly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean, with perhaps a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for them to set properly and for easy cutting. This may take a few hours.
- Chill and Cut: Once completely cool, cover the pan and refrigerate the Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow them to firm up for clean slicing.
- Serve: Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares to serve.
Why You’ll Love This Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars
These Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars are a true showstopper, perfectly blending the comforting familiarity of a classic cherry pie with the decadent richness of cheesecake, all nestled within a tender, buttery crumb. Imagine the delightful contrast of sweet, slightly tart cherries against the velvety smooth cream cheese filling, all crowned with that irresistible, golden-brown crumble topping – it’s pure dessert bliss in every single bite! Making these at home is not only incredibly rewarding, offering a delightful treat that rivals any bakery’s best, but it’s also a budget-friendly way to impress your family and friends with minimal effort, saving you money compared to buying pre-made desserts. They’re the perfect balance of comforting and elegant, making them an instant crowd-pleaser that’s far more exciting than your average brownie or cookie.
If you’re a fan of fruity desserts with a creamy twist, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again, especially when you’re craving something that feels special without being overly complicated. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a delicious potluck contribution, or simply want to treat yourself to a homemade delight, these Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars are sure to become a cherished favorite. So why not ditch the store-bought options and whip up a batch of these heavenly bars today? Your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your delicious Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars is key to enjoying them for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled and set, these bars are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4-5 days. The chilling process helps them firm up and makes them easier to cut into neat squares.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the bars. After they have thoroughly cooled and set, cut them into individual serving squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: If you prefer your bars slightly warm or just want to soften them out of the fridge, you can gently reheat a serving in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. For frozen bars, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before serving, or gently warm them in the microwave as described above. Avoid overheating, as this can make the cream cheese layer melt too much.
Final Thoughts
These Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars offer a sensational combination of textures and flavors that is wonderfully accessible. Give them a try and experience the delightful reward of homemade baking!
Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.2.5 cups all-purpose flour, 0.75 cup granulated sugar, 0.5 teaspoon salt, 1 cup unsalted butter
- Reserve about 1 ½ cups of the crumb mixture for the topping. Press the remaining crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- In a separate medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and ½ cup granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until well combined.8 ounces cream cheese, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the prepared crust. Then, dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cherry filling. Gently swirl the cream cheese into the cherry filling using a knife or toothpick, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to over-mix.1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 8 ounces cream cheese, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkle the reserved 1 ½ cups of crumb mixture evenly over the top of the cream cheese and cherry layers.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown and the cream cheese layer is set and no longer jiggly. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean, with perhaps a few moist crumbs.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for them to set properly and for easy cutting. This may take a few hours.
- Once completely cool, cover the pan and refrigerate the Cream Cheese Cherry Pie Crumb Bars for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow them to firm up for clean slicing.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares to serve.