Cherry Pie Bars Recipe
Cherry Pie Bars are a sweet and crowd-pleasing dessert made with buttery sugar cookie dough, cherry pie filling, and a light almond glaze. Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or weeknight treats, they combine the ease of bars with the flavor of homemade pie.1
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand or stand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber spatula
- 15x10x1-inch baking pan
- Wire cooling rack
- Small bowl
Ingredients
Glaze
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp almond extract
Bars
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cans cherry pie filling
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually add the flour, mixing just until incorporated.
- Spread about 3 cups of the dough into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan, smoothing it into an even layer.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough.
- Use the remaining dough over the top of the filling and bake for 30–35 minutes or until the bars are golden brown.
- Let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and enough milk to reach a drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle over the cooled bars.
- Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For neater slices, chill the bars briefly before cutting with a sharp knife.
- Lightly wet your hands or spoon to help spread the sticky dough evenly in the pan.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough or glaze for a cozy, warm twist.