Easy Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

You’re in for a real treat with these Easy Cherry Pie Bars! Imagine all the bright, sweet-tart cherry flavor you love in classic pie, but without the fuss of rolling dough. These bars are buttery, beautifully layered, and finished with an irresistible almond-kissed glaze. If you’re searching for a dessert that captures the spirit of summer and delivers big flavor with minimal effort, this is your new go-to.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything you need for these Easy Cherry Pie Bars is probably in your pantry right now, and each ingredient plays a starring role. They work together to create pillowy layers, bursts of cherry, and a gorgeous glaze that brings everything together. Here’s what you’ll need and why you need it:

• Butter: Softened butter makes the dough unbelievably tender and rich—don’t substitute, it’s key to the bars’ melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps the bars brown beautifully.
• Eggs: Room-temperature eggs give lift and bind the dough for a soft, sturdy crumb.
• Almond extract: This extract pairs perfectly with cherries and gives the bars a bakery-style aroma.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor profile and brings warmth to each bite.
• All-purpose flour: This is your structure—measured just right, you get thick, chewy bars, not cake or cookies.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
• Premium cherry pie filling: Go for quality—whole, plump cherries will stand out and create juicy layers in every slice.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Makes the glaze silky and sweet, melting right over the bars.
• More almond and vanilla extract for the glaze: Reinforces all those bakery-style flavors you love.
• Milk: Just a splash will thin the glaze until it’s perfectly pourable.

How to Make Easy Cherry Pie Bars

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Start by creaming your softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This first step is what gives the bars their airy base, so be generous with your mixing! Once the mixture turns pale and smooth, beat in the eggs—one at a time—along with the almond and vanilla extracts. The aroma at this point is out of this world.

Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients

With your mixer on low, slowly add the flour and salt. This ensures the dough stays tender and doesn’t get overworked. By the end, you’ll have a soft, pliable dough that’s easy to work with—a dream come true for easy cherry pie bars!

Step 3: Layer the Bars

Take half the dough and press it gently into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. No need to be perfect—just make sure it covers the bottom in an even layer. Next, pour on all that luscious cherry pie filling, spreading it all the way to the corners for the prettiest red color in every bar.

Step 4: Add the Topping

With the remaining dough, drop spoonfuls over the cherry layer. Don’t worry if there are gaps! The dough spreads and bakes into beautiful golden islands surrounded by bubbling cherry filling. This step keeps the bars rustic and homey, just as they should be.

Step 5: Bake

Slide the pan into your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges and a set, glossy top. Let the bars cool in the pan—this is the hardest part because the aroma is utterly irresistible!

Step 6: Glaze and Serve

Once cool, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, almond and vanilla extracts, and just enough milk to make a drizzle. Flick the glaze over the bars in swoops and swirls—it’ll set up glossy and inviting. Now, cut your Easy Cherry Pie Bars and get ready for rave reviews!

How to Serve Easy Cherry Pie Bars

Garnishes

For a hint of elegance, dust the bars with extra confectioners’ sugar or add a curl of lemon zest right before serving. A handful of toasted sliced almonds scattered on top also gives a little crunch and ties in the almond flavor from the glaze.

Side Dishes

These Easy Cherry Pie Bars pair perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. For something lighter, serve with a cup of coffee or tea and let the bars be the star of your dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the bars into small squares for party platters, or go for generous rectangles for a satisfying afternoon snack. Stack them in colorful cupcake liners for a picnic or slice and arrange in a single layer with fresh cherries on the side for a festive touch at gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow manage to have leftovers, store your Easy Cherry Pie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert for busy weeks.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then tuck them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months; just thaw at room temperature before serving, and the glaze will still look gorgeous.

Reheating

If you love a warm dessert, pop a bar in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The filling turns wonderfully gooey and the dough even more tender—just like a slice of fresh cherry pie, but so much easier.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cherry pie filling instead of canned?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade cherry pie filling, swap it in for the canned version. Just make sure it’s thick and jammy, so your Easy Cherry Pie Bars don’t get soggy.

What size pan should I use?

A standard 9×13-inch baking pan works best. It gives you just the right ratio of dough to filling, resulting in perfect bars that are easy to slice and serve.

Can I make Easy Cherry Pie Bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. The bars will have a slightly different texture, but they’ll still turn out delicious and hold together nicely.

Do these bars need to be refrigerated?

They’re fine at room temperature for up to 3 days, but if your kitchen is particularly warm or humid, the bars will keep even longer in the fridge. Just bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

Can I use other pie fillings?

Definitely! While cherry is classic, you can make Easy Cherry Pie Bars with blueberry, apple, or even peach pie filling. Feel free to get creative with what’s in season or your family’s favorites.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a cheerful, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s easy to whip up and even easier to love, these Easy Cherry Pie Bars deserve a spot on your recipe roster. Trust me—one bite, and you’ll find yourself making these again and again for every picnic, potluck, or just because moment!

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