If you are looking for a delightful, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s both simple and irresistibly tasty, this Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. Imagine soft, buttery bars boasting a sweet and tangy cherry filling nestled between a golden crumbly crust and a buttery topping. It’s the perfect marriage of textures and flavors that make these bars a standout treat for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for just a few straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating that perfect balance of buttery crumb and luscious cherry sweetness. These essentials keep the process easy but never skimp on flavor or texture.
- 2 cups flour: Provides the sturdy yet tender base and topping for the bars.
- 1 cup sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that golden crust.
- 1 cup butter, cold and cubed: Gives richness and creates the crumbly texture when combined with flour and sugar.
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling: The star of the show, providing juicy, sweet cherries packed with flavor and a beautiful pop of color.
How to Make Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly greasing it. This step ensures your bars will bake evenly and come out cleanly, ready for slicing.
Step 2: Make the Crumb Base
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter, forks, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This crumbly texture is essential as it forms both the bar’s buttery base and delicious topping.
Step 3: Press the Crust into the Pan
Take half of your crumb mixture and firmly press it into the bottom of your prepared pan. Pressing it evenly helps create a sturdy foundation that will hold the cherry filling perfectly without soaking through.
Step 4: Spread the Cherry Pie Filling
Open your can of cherry pie filling and evenly spread it over the crust layer. The sweet, juicy cherries bring everything together with their vibrant taste and beautiful red color.
Step 5: Add the Crumb Topping
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the cherry layer. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly even; the uneven crumb topping adds a charming homemade look and plenty of buttery texture.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your bars for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and smells absolutely mouthwatering. The aroma alone will have everyone eager for a taste!
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Once out of the oven, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This step is key so they set properly and slice neatly into 12–16 generous bars that hold together well.
How to Serve Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe for serving, consider a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate. Fresh mint leaves or a dollop of whipped cream also make wonderful finishing touches, adding a fresh brightness that complements the sweet cherries.
Side Dishes
These cherry bars pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert duo. They also go well with a simple cup of coffee or tea, turning an ordinary afternoon into a cozy, delicious treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Present these bars on a rustic wooden board or a pretty pastel plate to highlight their vibrant cherry filling. For gatherings, cut them into bite-sized squares and arrange with fresh fruit for a picnic-style dessert tray that is both inviting and colorful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, keep them in the refrigerator where they’ll stay moist and delicious for 4 to 5 days.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these bars later, they freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars or the whole pan tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. They’ll keep wonderfully for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To enjoy your Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe warm, reheat in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving as it can alter the texture of the crumbly topping.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?
Fresh cherries can be used, but since they contain more moisture and less sugar than canned pie filling, you might need to cook them down with sugar and cornstarch first to thicken the filling properly for the bars.
What if I don’t have a pastry cutter? How can I cut in butter?
No worries! You can use two forks to cut in the butter or even your fingertips, quickly rubbing the butter into the flour and sugar mixture until crumbly. Just be careful not to overwork it and warm the butter too much.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend designed for baking. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or add it separately to help with structure.
Are these bars suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Absolutely! With simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and cherry pie filling, this Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe is vegetarian-friendly and loved by all ages.
How can I make these bars more festive for holidays?
Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crumb topping for warmth or swirl some cream cheese into the cherry filling before baking to create a luscious, marbled effect that’s especially festive.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe enough when you need a dessert that’s easy, reliable, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re making a batch for a family gathering, a potluck, or just a sweet treat for yourself, these bars promise to bring smiles and deliciousness with every bite. Give them a try—I have a feeling they’ll become your go-to cherry delight in no time!
Print
Cherry Pie Filling Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and buttery cherry bars with a golden crumb topping, layered with a sweet and tangy cherry pie filling. This easy dessert features a buttery crust and crumbly topping that perfectly complements the luscious cherry center, making it an ideal treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Crust & Topping
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup cold butter, cubed
Filling
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Crumb Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture becomes crumbly but still holds together when pressed.
- Form Crust: Press half of the crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust layer.
- Add Filling: Spread the entire can of cherry pie filling evenly over the crust, making sure to cover the surface completely.
- Top with Crumbs: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly on top of the cherry filling, distributing it so it covers the filling layer thoroughly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the cherry filling is bubbly around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing to ensure clean cuts and set filling.
Notes
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent the cherry filling from oozing out.
- For easier slicing, chill bars in the refrigerator after cooling.
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings such as blueberry or apple.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
