Description
Sweet cherry pie bars elevate classic dessert into portable, irresistible squares that blend homemade comfort with fresh summer flavors. Buttery crumble topping and rich cherry filling create a delightful treat you’ll savor with every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3.5 cups frozen sour cherries
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sweet Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
Spices and Extracts:
- 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon almond extract
- 0.25 teaspoon almond extract
- 0.125 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace by positioning the oven rack at the center and warming the oven to 350°F. Create a sling with parchment paper in a 9×13 inch baking pan to facilitate easy removal of the bars.
- Craft the foundational crust by blending flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Incorporate melted butter and vanilla, stirring until the mixture achieves a cohesive texture.
- Transfer approximately two-thirds of the crumbly mixture into the prepared pan, pressing firmly to establish an even base layer. Set aside the remaining mixture for the topping.
- Develop the cherry filling by gently combining cornstarch, frozen cherries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and almond extract in a separate bowl. Distribute the cherry mixture uniformly across the prepared crust.
- Enhance the reserved topping by folding in the additional oats. Delicately scatter the crumbly mixture over the cherry layer, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, monitoring until the topping transforms into a golden-brown landscape and the filling bubbles gently.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely, permitting the layers to set and flavors to meld.
- Optional final touch: Whisk confectioners’ sugar, milk, and almond extract into a silky icing. Artfully drizzle across the cooled bars for an elegant finishing flourish.
Notes
- Swap frozen cherries with fresh or canned ones, adjusting sugar levels accordingly for optimal sweetness and texture.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or oat flour to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Enhance flavor by toasting oats before mixing into the crumb topping, which adds depth and nutty undertones to the dessert.
- Maximize fruit distribution by gently folding cherries instead of roughly stirring to prevent breaking delicate fruit pieces.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg