If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing treat that channels all the nostalgia of a classic pie with the ease of a bar cookie, Sweet Cherry Pie Bars are destined to become your new favorite bake. Buttery, golden layers cradle sweet-tart cherry filling and get finished with the prettiest vanilla drizzle—each bite tastes like summertime at Grandma’s. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or spontaneous celebrations, these bars are simple to make yet absolutely stunning to serve.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Sweet Cherry Pie Bars is delightfully straightforward, but every item brings its own magic. From rich butter to bright cherry filling, each element helps craft the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color that makes these bars irresistible.
- Unsalted Butter: Gives the bars a rich, tender crumb and melts perfectly into the dough.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and a beautifully crisp top after baking; don’t forget to reserve some for sprinkling!
- Eggs: Lend structure and a lovely richness to every bite.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors, making the bars taste bakery-worthy.
- Almond Extract (optional): A little splash gives a delicate, cherry-friendly flavor boost.
- All-Purpose Flour: The classic base for a sturdy, yet soft, bar.
- Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and round out the flavors.
- Cherry Pie Filling: Provides the iconic sweet-tart heart of the bars; store-bought makes it easy, but homemade is delicious, too.
- Powdered Sugar: Blends into the glaze for a dreamy, picture-perfect finish.
- Milk: Thins the glaze so you can drizzle it over the cooled bars just right.
- Vanilla Extract (for glaze): Rounds out the sweet glaze with a hint of fragrant warmth.
How to Make Sweet Cherry Pie Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan. A well-prepared pan ensures your bars come out clean and beautiful—no sticking, just easy slicing and serving. This is the foundation for your Sweet Cherry Pie Bars, so give it a little love!
Step 2: Cream Together the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with 1 1/2 cups of the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step gives the bars their airy texture. Take your time—the fluffier, the better—and get ready for the intoxicatingly sweet aroma to fill your kitchen.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Extracts
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This ensures the dough is silky and well combined. Stir in the vanilla, and if you like a fancy, old-school twist, add the optional almond extract. It gives the Sweet Cherry Pie Bars an unmistakably authentic bakery taste.
Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring just until everything comes together in a soft dough. Overmixing is a no-go—gentle hands make tender bars!
Step 5: Assemble the Bars
Spread about two-thirds of the dough evenly into your greased pan. Spoon the cherry pie filling all over the dough, making sure every inch gets some fruity love. Drop small spoonfuls of the reserved dough over the cherries—these will bake up into delicious little golden clouds. Sprinkle with that final quarter cup of sugar for just the right amount of crunch.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is just golden and the edges pull away slightly from the pan. Be patient and let the bars cool completely in the pan—this helps them set for perfect slicing and keeps the cherry filling exactly where it should be.
Step 7: Glaze and Slice
Once cool, whisk up your glaze: powdered sugar, milk, and a touch of vanilla until smooth and pourable. Drizzle this all over the bars, let it set for a few minutes, then slice into gorgeous servings. Your kitchen will never smell better than at this moment!
How to Serve Sweet Cherry Pie Bars
Garnishes
For that bakery-case dazzle, consider topping your cut bars with extra cherries, a shower of powdered sugar, or even a few slivered almonds for crunch. A dollop of softly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns Sweet Cherry Pie Bars into an elegant dessert plate worthy of any occasion.
Side Dishes
Pairing these bars with fresh berries, a scoop of sorbet, or a cup of rich coffee helps highlight their sweetness and balance the flavors. They’re also fabulous with a tangy lemon yogurt or fresh fruit salad for a lighter touch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging Sweet Cherry Pie Bars on a pretty platter lined with parchment, or stack them on a tiered stand for a tea party effect. You can also wrap individual bars in wax paper or cellophane for sweet take-home treats at picnics and potlucks—the presentation is only limited by your imagination!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and cooled, Sweet Cherry Pie Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors only deepen as they sit, so they’re just as delicious on day one as they are for a special lunchbox treat later in the week.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully: place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving—a quick zap of glaze after thawing makes them look freshly baked.
Reheating
If you like your Sweet Cherry Pie Bars warm, microwave individual bars for 10-15 seconds, just enough to recreate that fresh-from-the-oven magic. Add a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream for a true comfort dessert experience.
FAQs
Can I use homemade cherry pie filling instead of canned?
Absolutely—homemade cherry pie filling works beautifully and gives you control over sweetness and texture. As long as you match the volume (about 21 ounces), your bars will turn out perfectly every time.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
No worries—the almond extract is optional. It adds a subtle layer of flavor, but vanilla alone still produces delicious Sweet Cherry Pie Bars. Feel free to omit or substitute with a tiny splash of another nut extract if you like experimenting.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour in place of the all-purpose flour. Keep an eye on texture; gluten-free blends sometimes require an extra tablespoon of milk or butter to keep the dough tender.
How do I prevent the bars from getting soggy?
Let your bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. This allows the cherry filling to set and keeps the crust from absorbing too much moisture. Also, be careful not to use overly wet homemade pie filling.
Can I use other fruit fillings?
Definitely! Blueberry, apple, or even peach pie filling can take the place of cherry. Just be sure to drain any excess juice so the bars don’t get runny—variety is part of the fun with this recipe.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably joyful about sharing a pan of Sweet Cherry Pie Bars with friends and family—each square is like a little slice of summer, easy to bake and even easier to love. If you haven’t already, make these bars your next go-to treat and see just how quickly they disappear!
Print
Sweet Cherry Pie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet Cherry Pie Bars are a delightful dessert that combines a buttery, almond-scented crust with a luscious cherry filling. These bars are perfect for summer baking or anytime you crave a fruity treat.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (divided)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Filling and Glaze:
- 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Make the dough: Cream butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar, add eggs, extracts, then mix in flour and salt to form a dough.
- Assemble the bars: Spread most of the dough in the pan, top with cherry filling, drop spoonfuls of remaining dough, sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden.
- Glaze and serve: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, then drizzle over cooled bars.
Notes
- You can use homemade cherry filling or try blueberry or apple pie filling as alternatives.
- Bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
