Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

Introduction

Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive treat combining a tender buttery base with vibrant cherry filling, topped with a smooth glaze. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars offer a delightful mix of sweet and tangy flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 can (21 oz / 595 g) cherry pie filling
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons cherry syrup (from pie filling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Step 2: Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to combine fully.
4. Step 4: Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts until evenly mixed.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
6. Step 6: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined.
7. Step 7: Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
8. Step 8: Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter layer.
9. Step 9: Drop the remaining batter in small spoonfuls over the cherry filling to cover it partially.
10. Step 10: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. Step 11: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before adding the glaze.
12. Step 12: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth to create the glaze.
13. Step 13: Spread the glaze over the cooled bars and drizzle with cherry syrup from the pie filling for a festive finish.

Tips & Variations

• For a more intense cherry flavor, add a teaspoon of almond extract to the batter along with the vanilla.
• If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk to 2 tablespoons or add more powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.
• Use fresh or homemade cherry pie filling if you want to control the sweetness and ingredients.
• Try substituting cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings like blueberry or raspberry for seasonal variety.

Storage

Store the Christmas Cherry Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently in the microwave if preferred warm, but the bars are delicious enjoyed at room temperature as well.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze Christmas Cherry Bars?

Yes, you can freeze the bars either glazed or unglazed. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving, then add the glaze if it wasn’t applied before freezing.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?

Fresh cherries can be used, but the filling won’t be as thick or sweet as canned pie filling. You may want to cook fresh cherries with sugar and a thickener like cornstarch beforehand to create a proper pie filling consistency for the bars.

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 133 reviews

• Author: Mariam
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 bars 1x

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Description

Delight in these festive Christmas Cherry Bars featuring a buttery, tender base layered with sweet cherry pie filling and topped with a smooth vanilla glaze accented by cherry syrup. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars combine classic flavors in an easy-to-make baked treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base and Filling

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 can (21 oz / 595 g) cherry pie filling

Glaze

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons cherry syrup (from pie filling)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
3. Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter.
4. Flavor the Batter: Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts to infuse the batter with rich, aromatic flavors.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt throughout the flour.
6. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet batter, mixing gently until smooth and fully combined without overmixing.
7. Layer Batter in Pan: Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating the bottom layer for the cherry filling.
8. Add Cherry Filling: Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter layer, ensuring good coverage.
9. Top with Remaining Batter: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top of the cherry layer, distributing it evenly for baking.
10. Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the bars are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to ensure the glaze sets properly when applied.
12. Prepare Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth to make a sweet glaze.
13. Glaze and Drizzle: Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled bars and drizzle with cherry syrup extracted from the pie filling for added flavor and a festive touch.

Notes

• You can omit the almond extract if you prefer a more straightforward vanilla flavor.
• Use full-fat milk or cream for a richer glaze texture and taste.
• Make sure the bars are completely cooled before glazing to prevent melting and sliding.
• Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• For a festive look, consider adding sliced almonds or a light dusting of powdered sugar after glazing.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas cherry bars, cherry pie bars, holiday dessert, cherry glaze bars, festive dessert bars