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Cherry Pie Bars

These delicious Cherry Pie Bars feature a buttery, almond-scented crust layered with sweet cherry pie filling and topped with a simple vanilla-almond glaze. They're easier to make than traditional cherry pie but deliver all the same flavors in a convenient bar form.  
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 270
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
For the Filling
  • 2 cans 21 oz each cherry pie filling
For the Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  •  

Method
 

  1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour (or spray with non-stick spray) a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. This preparation ensures your bars won't stick to the pan and will be easy to remove once baked.
  2. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mixture, which helps create a tender texture in the final product.
  3. Add Eggs & Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Adding eggs one at a time allows them to fully incorporate into the batter for a smooth consistency.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can result in tough bars.
  5. Assemble the Bars: Spread 3 cups of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust, then drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the filling. This creates a beautiful layered effect with some of the cherry filling peeking through.
  6. Bake: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be lightly golden brown and set.
  7. Cool: Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack. This cooling period is essential for the bars to set properly and makes them easier to cut.
  8. Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
  9. Drizzle & Serve: Once the bars are completely cooled, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set before cutting the bars into squares and serving.
  10.  

Notes

  • For a variation, try using blueberry or strawberry pie filling instead of cherry.
  • Add 1/2 cup of chopped almonds to the remaining batter before dropping it on top of the cherry filling for added texture.
  • These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
  • For cleaner cuts, refrigerate the bars for an hour before slicing.
  • If you don't have almond extract, you can substitute with additional vanilla extract, though you'll miss some of the signature flavor.