These cherry bars are the perfect dessert for a gathering! Theyโre sweet, buttery, and packed with cherry goodness.
๐ Ingredients
For the Bars:
- ๐ 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ๐ 2 cups granulated sugar
- ๐ 4 large eggs
- ๐ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ๐ 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- ๐ 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ๐ 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ๐ 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ๐ 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
For the Glaze:
- ๐ 1 cup powdered sugar
- ๐ 1โ2 tablespoons milk
- ๐ 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
๐ฅ Instructions
For the Bars:
1๏ธโฃ Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Grease and flour a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan (or line it with parchment paper).
2๏ธโฃ Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts.
3๏ธโฃ Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
4๏ธโฃ Assemble:
- Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter.
- Drop the remaining batter by spoonfuls over the cherry filling (itโs okay if some cherry filling peeks through).
5๏ธโฃ Bake:
- Bake for 30โ35 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and set in the center.
- Let them cool completely in the pan.
For the Glaze:
1๏ธโฃ Mix the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and extract until smooth.
2๏ธโฃ Drizzle:
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.
3๏ธโฃ Slice & Serve:
- Cut into squares or bars and serve to your crowd!
๐ฏ Why Youโll Love This Recipe:
- Perfect for Sharing: Makes a big batch to satisfy a crowd.
- Simple Ingredients: Easy to find and budget-friendly.
- Deliciously Buttery: The soft, buttery base pairs perfectly with the sweet cherry filling.
- Customizable: Swap out cherry pie filling for your favorite fruit filling!
Enjoy these crowd-pleasing cherry bars! ๐โจ