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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter.
- Flavor the Batter: Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts to infuse the batter with rich, aromatic flavors.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt throughout the flour.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet batter, mixing gently until smooth and fully combined without overmixing.
- Layer Batter in Pan: Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating the bottom layer for the cherry filling.
- Add Cherry Filling: Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter layer, ensuring good coverage.
- Top with Remaining Batter: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top of the cherry layer, distributing it evenly for baking.
- 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.
- Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to ensure the glaze sets properly when applied.
- Prepare Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth to make a sweet glaze.
- 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
