Cherry Bars

SAVE THIS!

Introduction

Cherry Bars are a delightful dessert that combines a soft, buttery crust with sweet cherry pie filling and a light drizzle of glaze. They’re easier to make than a traditional pie but offer the same comforting flavor in a portable, shareable form. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or holiday dessert trays, these bars are beautiful, delicious, and always a crowd favorite.

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp milk (more if needed)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan (or similar jelly roll pan).
2. Make Batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla. Gradually mix in flour and salt until combined.
3. Assemble: Spread 3 cups of batter evenly into the prepared pan. Spread cherry pie filling over batter. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top (it won’t cover completely, and that’s okay—it gives a pretty marbled look).
4. Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges are golden.
5. Cool & Glaze: Let bars cool completely. In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled bars.
6. Slice & Serve: Cut into squares or rectangles.

Storage Method

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps well for 4–5 days (especially if your kitchen is warm).
• Freezer: Freeze bars (unglazed for best results) in layers with parchment paper between them for up to 2 months. Thaw and drizzle with glaze before serving.