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If you love cherry pie, you’re going to adore these Cherry Pie Bars. They have all the classic flavors but in an easy-to-make bar form, making them perfect for sharing or indulging all by yourself.
Easy Cherry Pie Bars
When I first made these Cherry Pie Bars, I couldn’t believe how easy they were to put together. The buttery, crumbly crust pairs perfectly with the sweet and tart cherry filling. Plus, the simple glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness to make these bars irresistible.
I love how versatile this recipe is—you can whip it up for a casual family dessert or dress it up for a special occasion. The best part? You don’t need any fancy ingredients or equipment. Just a few pantry staples, and you’ll have a delicious treat that everyone will rave about!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Flour: You’ll need all purpose flour. You can use whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
- Rolled oats: Adds texture and a slight chewiness to the crust. Quick oats work too, but avoid instant oats.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Binds the ingredients and adds a rich, buttery taste. If you’re using salted butter, reduce the added salt.
- Cherry pie filling: Delivers a sweet and tart fruit layer. Feel free to substitute with blueberry or apple pie filling if you prefer.
- Powdered sugar: Same as icing sugar or confectioners’ sugar.
- Milk: Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency. You can use water or a milk alternative if needed.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor.
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the crust. Next, bake the crust for 15 minutes or until it just begins to turn golden. This will give it a nice, firm base for the cherry filling.
Remove the crust from the oven and spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the hot crust. Now, crumble the remaining oat mixture over the cherry filling. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbly.
While the bars cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the edges of the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan, then cut them into squares and drizzle the glaze over the bars.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Absolutely! If you prefer fresh cherries, you can make your own filling by cooking pitted cherries with sugar and a bit of cornstarch until they’re thick and bubbly. Just make sure to cool the mixture before spreading it over the crust.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these Cherry Pie Bars a day ahead. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, or refrigerate them if you prefer them chilled.
What’s the best way to cut these bars without making a mess?
To get clean cuts, let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts to prevent the filling from sticking.
Expert Tips
- Chill the butter: Use cold, cubed butter for the crust to achieve a perfect crumbly texture.
- Line with parchment paper: Line your baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cuts.
- Cool completely: Let the bars cool completely before glazing and cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
- Use a pastry blender: A pastry blender helps cut the butter into the dry ingredients quickly, keeping the butter cold.
- Look for bubbling: The filling should be bubbly, and the top lightly browned before taking the bars out of the oven, indicating they’re fully baked.
Storage
To store these Cherry Pie Bars, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate them for up to 1 week. If you’d like to freeze them, place the cut bars in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Delicious Bars To Try
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Cherry Pie Bars
These Cherry Pie Bars combine a buttery oat crust with a sweet and tangy cherry filling, all topped with a light vanilla glaze. They’re easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
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Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish, or line it with parchment paper.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press about two-thirds of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the crust.
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Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until it just begins to turn golden.
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Remove the crust from the oven and spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the hot crust. Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the cherry filling.
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Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the filling is bubbly.
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While the bars cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or water), and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
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Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the edges of the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan, then cut into squares.
Notes
- Use cold butter: This helps create a crumbly, delicious crust.
- Line with parchment paper: It makes removing and cutting the bars much easier.
- Cool completely: Let the bars cool fully before glazing and cutting to avoid crumbling.
- Substitute fillings: Try using blueberry or apple pie filling for a different twist.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1servingCalories: 405kcal (20%)Carbohydrates: 63g (21%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 16g (25%)Saturated Fat: 10g (63%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mg (14%)Sodium: 119mg (5%)Potassium: 154mg (4%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 18g (20%)Vitamin A: 679IU (14%)Vitamin C: 4mg (5%)Calcium: 25mg (3%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
