Easy Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful shortcut to enjoying classic cherry pie flavor without the fuss of crimping crusts or dealing with a wobbly filling. This recipe offers a simplified yet equally delicious way to savor the sweet and tart taste of cherries, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion, from weeknight treats to potluck gatherings. The ease of preparation means you can whip up a crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment, making it a go-to for busy bakers.
Key Ingredients for Easy Cherry Pie Bars
- For the Crust & Crumble:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- For the Cherry Filling:
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tart red cherries, undrained
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract, if preferred)
- Optional Toppings:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- A sprinkle of extra sugar on top before baking
How to Make Easy Cherry Pie Bars
These Easy Cherry Pie Bars are a dream for any dessert lover seeking convenience without sacrificing flavor. The magic lies in a simple, press-in crust that doubles as a buttery streusel topping. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this dessert comes together, from a luscious cherry filling bursting with vibrant fruit to a golden-brown, crumbly topping. This recipe is designed for speed and satisfaction, boasting a prep time of approximately 20 minutes and a bake time of around 35-40 minutes, making it ideal for spontaneous sweet cravings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. This step ensures your bars won’t stick and will be a breeze to cut.
- Make the Crust and Crumble Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Reserve about 1 ½ cups of this mixture for the crumble topping and set it aside.
- Press in the Base Crust: Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base crust for your Easy Cherry Pie Bars. Ensure it’s packed down firmly to create a solid foundation.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the undrained tart red cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
- Cook the Cherry Filling: Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil. This usually takes about 5-8 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the almond extract. The filling should be glossy and have a consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the thickened cherry filling evenly over the pressed crust in the baking pan, spreading it out to cover the entire surface.
- Add the Crumble Topping: Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the cherry filling. If you like an extra sweet and crunchy topping, you can sprinkle a little extra granulated sugar over the crumble before baking.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Cool Completely: It is crucial to let the Easy Cherry Pie Bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. This allows the filling to set properly, preventing a messy, gooey outcome. This step can take a couple of hours.
- Cut and Serve: Once completely cooled, cut the bars into your desired serving sizes. Serve them plain or with your favorite toppings like vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cherry Pie Bars
You’ll adore these Easy Cherry Pie Bars for so many reasons, chief among them being that they deliver all the comforting, nostalgic flavor of traditional cherry pie with a fraction of the effort. The buttery, crumbly crust and the burst of sweet-tart cherries create a delightful textural contrast and a flavor explosion in every bite, reminiscent of a classic pie but so much more accessible. Plus, making these Easy Cherry Pie Bars at home is incredibly budget-friendly, saving you money compared to buying pre-made desserts while offering superior freshness and homemade charm. The simple yet satisfying combination of juicy cherries and a delightful crumb topping makes these bars a guaranteed hit.
Unlike a full-fledged pie that can sometimes be intimidating to assemble, these bars are incredibly forgiving and straightforward, making them perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. They are a fantastic alternative when you crave that homemade pie goodness but are short on time or patience. The ease of preparation, coupled with the fantastic taste, makes them a perfect solution for satisfying your sweet tooth, entertaining guests, or simply enjoying a comforting treat. So, stop dreaming of cherry pie and start baking these wonderful Easy Cherry Pie Bars today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your Easy Cherry Pie Bars will ensure they remain delicious for days to come. For optimal freshness, allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before storing.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, place the bars in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. They can be enjoyed cold straight from the fridge, or you can gently reheat them.
- Reheating: To reheat, you can place a single bar on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on low power for 15-30 seconds, just until warmed through. Alternatively, for a crispier topping, you can reheat them in a toaster oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes.
- Freezing: If you won’t be able to enjoy them within a few days, Easy Cherry Pie Bars freeze beautifully. Cut them into individual portions and wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To serve from frozen, let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two, or gently reheat following the reheating instructions.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Cherry Pie Bars are a testament to how simple ingredients and a straightforward approach can yield incredibly delicious results. Their comforting flavors and effortless preparation make them a must-try for anyone seeking a delightful homemade dessert. Give them a go – you won’t regret this sweet and satisfying creation!
Easy Cherry Pie Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. This step ensures your bars won’t stick and will be a breeze to cut.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or a food processor, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Reserve about 1 ½ cups of this mixture for the crumble topping and set it aside.2.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon salt, 1 cup unsalted butter
- Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base crust for your Easy Cherry Pie Bars. Ensure it’s packed down firmly to create a solid foundation.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the undrained tart red cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine.2 (15-ounce) cans tart red cherries, 0.75 cup granulated sugar, 0.25 cup cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil. This usually takes about 5-8 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat and stir in the almond extract. The filling should be glossy and have a consistency that coats the back of a spoon.1 teaspoon almond extract
- Pour the thickened cherry filling evenly over the pressed crust in the baking pan, spreading it out to cover the entire surface.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture evenly over the cherry filling. If you like an extra sweet and crunchy topping, you can sprinkle a little extra granulated sugar over the crumble before baking.A sprinkle of extra sugar
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly around the edges.
- It is crucial to let the Easy Cherry Pie Bars cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. This allows the filling to set properly, preventing a messy, gooey outcome. This step can take a couple of hours.
- Once completely cooled, cut the bars into your desired serving sizes. Serve them plain or with your favorite toppings like vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.Vanilla ice cream, Whipped cream