Cherry Bars Recipe

Mak Erot

3 min read

·

Apr 02, 2025

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Cherry Bars: A Simple Recipe for Decadent Dessert

Are you looking for a delicious and easy dessert recipe? Look no further than these delightful cherry bars! This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned professionals alike, offering a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. These bars are incredibly versatile and can be easily customized to your liking.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe uses readily available ingredients, making it perfect for a spontaneous baking session. You'll need:

• For the Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

• For the Cherry Filling:

  • 1 (15 ounce) can cherry pie filling (or homemade if you prefer!)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (this brightens the cherry flavor)

• For the Crumble Topping:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Let's get baking! Follow these simple steps to create your own cherry bar masterpiece:

Making the Crust:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.

2. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt.

3. Add melted butter: Pour in the melted butter and mix until a crumbly dough forms. Don't overmix!

4. Press into pan: Press the crust mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your hands to create an even layer.

Adding the Cherry Filling:

1. Spread the filling: Evenly spread the cherry pie filling over the prepared crust. Make sure to distribute it to the edges.

2. Add lemon juice: Drizzle the lemon juice over the cherry filling. This enhances the tartness and balances the sweetness.

Preparing and Adding the Crumble Topping:

1. Combine crumble ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

2. Cut in butter: Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Sprinkle over filling: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the cherry filling.

Baking the Cherry Bars:

1. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

2. Cool completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This allows the bars to set properly.

Tips for the Best Cherry Bars:

• Use good quality ingredients: This makes a big difference in the overall flavor of your bars.
• Don't overbake: Overbaking can result in dry bars. Start checking for doneness around the 30-minute mark.
• Let them cool completely: This is crucial for easy cutting and prevents the bars from falling apart.
• Get creative with variations: Try adding nuts, chocolate chips, or different types of berries to the crumble topping or filling.

Serving and Storage:

Serve these delicious cherry bars at room temperature. They're perfect for picnics, potlucks, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea. Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Enjoy your homemade cherry bars! Let us know in the comments how yours turned out!