Cherry Pie Bars

Cherry pie bars recipe made with buttery cookie dough, sweet cherry pie filling, and a simple vanilla almond glaze. These easy cherry bars are soft, chewy, and perfect for dessert trays, bake sales, holidays, and family gatherings. Made with pantry staples like flour, sugar, eggs, and canned cherry filling, this dessert is quick to prepare and ideal for sharing. Great for fruit dessert lovers, bar cookie recipes, and easy baking ideas, these cherry dessert bars deliver a balanced mix of sweet fruit and rich buttery flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

For the bars

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling

For the glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract.

Gradually mix in the flour until a soft dough forms.

Spread about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.

Layer the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough.

Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the cherry filling, leaving some areas exposed for a marbled look.

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set. Allow to cool completely in the pan.

For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth and drizzle-ready. Drizzle over cooled bars.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cherry pie bars combine a soft buttery base with sweet cherry filling and a light almond glaze. They offer a bakery-style dessert that’s easy to slice, serve, and share, perfect for gatherings or everyday baking.

Tips

• Make sure the butter is fully softened for a smooth batter.
• Don’t overmix after adding flour to keep the texture tender.
• Let the bars cool completely before glazing for clean slices.
• Use parchment paper for easier removal from the pan.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap cherry pie filling with blueberry, apple, or strawberry.
• Add white chocolate chips to the dough for extra sweetness.
• Replace almond extract with extra vanilla if preferred.
• Add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans for texture.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cherry filling?
Yes, homemade filling works well and enhances flavor.

How do I store cherry pie bars?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Can I freeze them?
Yes, freeze without glaze for up to 2 months.

Why did my bars turn out dense?
Overmixing the dough can make them heavier—mix just until combined.

Serving Suggestions

Serve cherry pie bars as a dessert with coffee, tea, or milk. They also pair well with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra sweet treat. Perfect for parties, holidays, bake sales, and casual snacking.