Cherry Pie Bars: The Perfect Sweet Treat for Any Occasion

Introduction

There’s something magical about the combination of buttery crust, sweet filling, and crumbly topping that makes Cherry Pie Bars a timeless dessert. These delicious treats offer all the charm of a classic cherry pie in an easy-to-make bar form, making them ideal for gatherings, picnics, or a sweet end to a family dinner. Whether you use cherry pie filling or fresh cherries, these bars are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.

In this article, we will walk you through a delightful recipe for Cherry Pie Bars, explore some variations like Cherry Pie Squares with Crumb Topping, and share tips on how to make the best use of cherry pie fillings. We’ll also explore the versatility of this dessert and suggest creative ways to incorporate it into different occasions, from casual family dinners to holiday celebrations.

Why Cherry Pie Bars?

Cherry pie bars bring the beloved flavors of cherry pie without the fuss of making a full pie. These dessert bars are perfect for busy bakers or anyone who loves the taste of a classic cherry pie but wants something more portable. They’re easy to slice, serve, and enjoy, making them an excellent choice for a sheet pan cherry pie bar that can be served to a crowd.

When you’re in the mood for cherry-flavored desserts, but don’t want to spend hours perfecting a pie crust or waiting for it to cool, these cherry pie filling bars recipes are a perfect alternative. Plus, they come together quickly and with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Cherry Pie Bars

Before we get started on the recipe, let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make these Cherry Pie Bars with Fresh Cherries ou cherry pie filling bars recipes. The ingredients are simple and can be adjusted based on what you have available, making it a flexible recipe.

For the Crust:

• 2 tasses de farine tout usage: The base of your crust, providing structure and texture.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Butter adds richness and flavor to the crust.
• 1/4 tasse de sucre granulé: For a slight sweetness in the crust.
• 1/4 cuillère à café de sel: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a depth of flavor to the crust.

For the Cherry Filling:

• 1 can cherry pie filling (ou fresh cherries if you prefer to make it from scratch): This will be your main filling. If you’re using fresh cherries, you can make your own filling by cooking the cherries with sugar and a thickening agent like cornstarch or flour.
• 1 cuillère à soupe de jus de citron: To balance the sweetness and add a hint of acidity.
• 1/4 cup sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of your cherries): Adds more sweetness if needed.

For the Crumb Topping:

• 1 tasse de farine tout usage: For the texture of the crumb topping.
• 1/2 tasse de sucre granulé: Adds sweetness to the crumb topping.
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: A touch of spice that pairs perfectly with cherries.
• 1/2 tasse de beurre non salé, cold and cubed: Cold butter helps create a crumbly texture in the topping.

How to Make Cherry Pie Bars

Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to start assembling these Cherry Pie Squares with Crumb Topping. Follow the steps below for an easy and delicious result:

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch sheet pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your hands to blend the ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly. It should resemble coarse sand.
3. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is lightly golden. Remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

Step 2: Prepare the Cherry Filling

1. Si vous êtes en utilisant cherry pie filling, simply open the can and stir it to ensure the cherries are evenly coated in the syrup. You can also add a tablespoon of lemon juice for a zesty flavor.
2. Si vous êtes en utilisant fresh cherries, pit and chop the cherries. In a saucepan, combine the cherries with sucre et le jus de citron. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, until the cherries release their juices. Add cornstarch to thicken the mixture, cooking it until the filling is bubbly and thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Spread the cherry filling evenly over the cooled crust.

Step 3: Make the Crumb Topping

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until you achieve a crumbly texture. The butter should remain in small, pea-sized pieces.
2. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the cherry filling, covering it completely.

Step 4: Bake the Cherry Pie Bars

1. Bake the bars for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The edges of the bars should be slightly golden.
2. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan. Once completely cool, cut into squares and serve.

Variations and Tips for Cherry Pie Bars

While the classic recipe is already delicious, there are several variations and tips you can try to customize your cherry pie bars and make them even more exciting.

1. Cherry Crisp Recipe with Pie Fillings

For a slightly different twist, you can turn your cherry pie bars into a cherry crisp by swapping out the crumb topping for a more rustic, oat-based topping. Mix oats, flour, sugar, and butter to create a crispier texture that will add crunch to your bars. This variation can give the bars a more substantial texture and added depth of flavor.

2. Cherry Pie Bars with Fresh Cherries

If you’re lucky enough to have fresh cherries in season, you can make your cherry pie bars with fresh cherries instead of using canned filling. This allows you to enjoy the full, fresh flavor of cherries in your dessert. You may need to cook the cherries down slightly with some sugar and cornstarch to make them into a thick filling.

3. Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Extract

For an additional layer of flavor, add almond extract to your cherry pie filling or even to the crust. Almond extract pairs beautifully with the sweet, tart cherries, giving the bars a more complex flavor profile.

4. Cherry Pie Sheet Pan

Want to make a larger batch of these bars for a crowd? You can easily convert this recipe into a sheet pan cherry pie. Use a larger pan, such as a 10×15-inch sheet pan, and simply double the recipe. Be sure to adjust the baking time and check for doneness by looking for a golden crumb topping and bubbling cherry filling.

Things to Do with Cherry Pie Filling

If you have leftover cherry pie filling or you’re looking for more ways to use it, here are some ideas:

• Cherry Pie Ice Cream: Swirl cherry pie filling into vanilla ice cream for a fruity twist.
• Cherry Pie Milkshake: Blend cherry pie filling with vanilla ice cream and milk for a creamy milkshake.
• Cherry Pie Parfait: Layer cherry pie filling with whipped cream or Greek yogurt for a quick and easy parfait.
• Cherry Pie Smoothie: Blend cherry pie filling with frozen fruit and yogurt to make a refreshing smoothie.
• Cherry Pie Trifle: Layer cherry pie filling, pound cake, and whipped cream for an easy trifle.

Conclusion

Cherry Pie Bars are the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and buttery goodness. Whether you’re making cherry pie squares with crumb topping for a family gathering or whipping up sheet pan cherry pie bars for a crowd, this dessert is sure to be a hit. Using cherry pie filling or fresh cherries gives you flexibility, and the crumbly topping adds just the right amount of texture.

The versatility of this recipe means you can tweak it to your liking—try adding oats for a crispier topping or mix in almond extract for added flavor. No matter how you make it, these cherry pie bars are sure to become a favorite dessert recipe that’s both easy and delicious.