Delicious Cherry Bars
Cherry Crumble Bars
These easy and irresistible cherry bars layer a buttery shortbread crust, sweet cherry filling, and a golden crumb topping for a crowd-pleasing treat. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or afternoon snacks.
🍒 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups |
| Unsalted butter (softened) | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | ½ cup |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Cherry pie filling | 1 can (21 oz) |
| Chopped almonds (optional) | ½ cup |
👩‍🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in the flour and salt until the mixture forms a crumbly dough.
Step 3: Build the Crust
Set aside about 1½ cups of the dough for the topping. Press the rest firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the base.
Step 4: Layer the Cherry Filling
Spread the cherry pie filling evenly across the crust, reaching all the edges.
Step 5: Add Topping
If desired, sprinkle chopped almonds over the cherry layer. Then crumble the reserved dough evenly over the top to form the crumb layer.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the crust is cooked through.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. Serve as-is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
