Easy Cherry Pie Bars for a Crowd

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Cherry Pie Bars are the perfect combination of buttery, crumbly crust, sweet cherry filling, and a streusel topping, making them a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s both easy to make and fun to serve. These bars capture the comforting flavors of a traditional cherry pie in a portable, easy-to-share format, ideal for parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a delicious treat that looks impressive and tastes even better. Perfect for cherry lovers or anyone with a sweet tooth, these bars are guaranteed to disappear quickly!

Ingredients

For the crust and topping:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cherry filling:

• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (or homemade cherry filling)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added tang)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.

2. Make the crust and topping: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract, and mix until the dough comes together and is crumbly but holds its shape. Reserve about 1 cup of the dough to use for the topping later. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.

3. Prepare the cherry filling: If you’re using canned cherry pie filling, you can simply open the can and stir in the lemon juice for a bit of extra flavor. If you’d like a thicker filling, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the cherry filling to thicken it. Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust layer.

4. Add the topping: Crumble the reserved dough over the top of the cherry filling. The topping will be uneven, which gives the bars their delicious, rustic look.

5. Bake the bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

6. Cool and serve: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting them into squares. If you want, dust them with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 12-16

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: 35-40 minutes

• Total time: 45-50 minutes (plus cooling time)

Variations

• Different fruit fillings: While cherry is a classic, you can easily swap it for other fruit fillings, such as blueberry, apple, or peach.

• Almond flavor: Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the crust or topping to complement the cherry flavor.

• Nutty topping: Stir in some chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, into the topping for added crunch and flavor.

• Crispier crust: If you prefer a more buttery, crispy crust, bake the crust for 10 minutes before adding the cherry filling.

Storage

• Storage: Store the cherry pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you have leftover bars, they can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.

• Freezing: To freeze, wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned pie filling?

Yes! If you prefer fresh cherries, you can make your own filling by cooking down fresh cherries with sugar, lemon juice, and a bit of cornstarch until it thickens. You’ll need about 3 cups of fresh cherries for this recipe.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, these bars are perfect for making ahead. They actually taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld together.

Can I use frozen cherries for the filling?

Yes, frozen cherries work just fine for this recipe. Simply thaw and drain them before using. You may need to cook the filling a bit longer to reduce any extra moisture.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

To make these bars gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that the pie filling is also gluten-free.

Can I use a different type of pie filling?

Absolutely! You can use any fruit pie filling, like blueberry, peach, or strawberry. The method remains the same, so feel free to get creative.

How do I make sure the crust stays firm?

If you want a firmer crust, make sure to press the dough down firmly in the pan. Pre-baking the crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling will also help ensure it stays crispy.

Conclusion

Easy Cherry Pie Bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert that combines the best of a classic cherry pie with the convenience of a bar. With a buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a crumbly topping, these bars are perfect for sharing at any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering, potluck, or just craving a delicious treat, this recipe will become a favorite in your collection. Enjoy the sweet, fruity flavors of cherry pie in a simpler, more shareable form

Easy Cherry Pie Bars for a Crowd

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• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Total Time: 45-50 minutes (plus cooling time)
• Yield: 12-16 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Easy Cherry Pie Bars combine a buttery, crumbly crust with a sweet cherry filling and a cinnamon-sugar topping. They are an easy, portable version of classic cherry pie, perfect for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.

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Ingredients

• For the crust and topping:
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the cherry filling:
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling (or homemade cherry filling)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for added tang)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
2. Make the crust and topping: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until the dough comes together. Reserve 1 cup of dough for topping. Press remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Prepare the cherry filling: If using canned cherry pie filling, stir in lemon juice for extra flavor. For a thicker filling, mix cornstarch with water and add to the cherries. Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust.
4. Add the topping: Crumble the reserved dough over the cherry filling.
5. Bake the bars: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown on top and the filling is bubbly.
6. Cool and serve: Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar for an added touch of sweetness.

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Notes

Different fruit fillings: Swap cherry pie filling for blueberry, peach, or any other fruit filling of your choice.Almond flavor: Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the dough for a lovely flavor pairing with the cherry filling.For added crunch: Add chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds to the topping.Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. You can freeze for up to 3 months.Gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 square
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 35mg