Cherry Pie Bars
These Cherry Pie Bars are buttery dessert squares layered with sweet cherry filling and topped with a silky almond glaze. This easy cherry dessert is perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you’re craving cherry pie without the work.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: bar cookies, bars
- Method: Baking
Ingredients
Scale
For the bars:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in vanilla and almond extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients until combined.
- Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Spread cherry pie filling evenly over the batter. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top of the cherry filling.
- Bake 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.
- Let cool completely. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract. Drizzle glaze over cooled bars.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- These cherry pie bars taste even better the next day as the flavors meld.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking.
- To freeze: Wrap cooled (unglazed) bars tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw, then glaze before serving.