Homemade Cherry Pie Bars
Delicious homemade cherry pie bars featuring a buttery crust, tangy-sweet cherry filling, and a crumbly topping – perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cherry Filling
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted If using frozen, thaw and drain well.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar Adjust to taste.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional) Enhances cherry flavor.
For the Topping
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Gradually add in the flour and mix until it forms a dough.
- Press about two-thirds of this mixture into the bottom of an 8×8-inch baking dish evenly, forming a solid crust.
- In another bowl, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract. Stir gently until the cherries are well-coated.
- Pour the cherry mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
- In the bowl with the reserved crust dough, add the oats, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Mix until crumbly.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top, combining until it matches a crumbly texture.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cherry filling.
Baking
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Allow the bars to cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting them into squares.
Notes
Use fresh cherries for the best flavor. Allow bars to cool completely for cleaner cuts.