Here’s a detailed, step-by-step recipe for Classic Cherry Bars—soft, buttery bars with a sweet cherry filling and light glaze.
Ingredients
For the batter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the cherry filling
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
For the glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (add more if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Equipment
- 10×15-inch jelly roll pan or 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Spatula
- Parchment paper (optional)
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Preheat and prepare pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease the baking pan or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the batter
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
- Mix in vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).
- Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until smooth.
Step 3: Assemble the bars
- Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherries. It does not need to fully cover the filling.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.
Step 5: Cool
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Step 6: Prepare the glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla or almond extract
- Adjust consistency so the glaze is pourable but not too thin.
Step 7: Glaze and slice
- Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled bars.
- Let glaze set for 10–15 minutes.
- Cut into squares or rectangles.
Tips for Perfect Cherry Bars
- Almond extract enhances cherry flavor but is optional.
- Do not overbake; the bars should stay soft and tender.
- Bars slice best once fully cooled.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
If you want, I can also give you
- A chocolate cherry bar version
- A crumb-topped bakery-style cherry bar
- A homemade cherry filling option instead of canned
Just tell me which one you’d like leave comment