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Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
- Make the Crust: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can do this with a pastry cutter, a fork, or your hands.
- Add the Egg and Vanilla: Stir in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until the dough comes together. It will be thick and slightly sticky.
- Press into the Pan: Press about 2/3 of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This will form the base of the bars. You can use your fingers or a spatula to smooth it out.
Step 2: Prepare the Cherry Filling
- For Canned Cherry Filling: If you’re using canned cherry pie filling, you can skip this step. Just pour it directly over the crust after the next step.
- For Fresh or Frozen Cherries: In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh or frozen cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and almond extract (if using). Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the cherries release their juices and the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. If you prefer a smoother filling, you can lightly mash some of the cherries with a spoon as it cooks. Once thickened, remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Step 3: Assemble the Bars
- Spread the Cherry Filling: Once your crust is ready and the cherry filling is prepared, spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry filling in small pieces, like a streusel topping. It doesn’t have to be perfect—some gaps are fine! The dough will bake into a golden, crisp topping.
Step 4: Bake the Bars
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The edges should be lightly browned, and the center should look set.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes to an hour. If you can wait, letting them cool completely will make them easier to cut into neat squares.
Step 5: Serve
- Cut and Enjoy: Once cooled, slice into squares or bars. Serve on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Why You’ll Love These Cherry Pie Bars:
- Quick and Easy: Unlike a traditional pie, which requires rolling out dough and carefully assembling, these bars come together quickly, making them perfect for when you’re short on time but still want to impress.
- Perfect for Sharing: Because they’re cut into bars, they’re incredibly easy to serve at parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. No pie-cutting skills required!
- Classic Cherry Flavor: If you’re a fan of cherry pie, these bars deliver the same sweet-tart filling and buttery crust, with the added bonus of a crisp, streusel-like topping. It’s like a pie and a crumble combined!
- Customizable: You can use fresh or frozen cherries, swap the cherry pie filling for any fruit pie filling you like (blueberry, peach, or apple, for example), or even make your own homemade fruit filling for a more personalized touch.
Tips for Success:
- Use a Baking Mat or Parchment Paper: For easy removal, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat in your baking dish. It’ll make cutting and serving the bars a breeze.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough is too soft to handle, refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes before pressing it into the pan. Chilled dough will be easier to work with.
- Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream is the perfect finishing touch to these delicious bars, taking them from tasty to indulgent.
- For a Thicker Filling: If you prefer a thicker filling, feel free to increase the amount of cornstarch or let the filling simmer a bit longer before adding it to the crust.
Conclusion:
These Cherry Pie Bars are the perfect dessert for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family dinner or a special event. They offer all the flavors of a classic cherry pie but with the convenience of a handheld, shareable bar. With their buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and golden topping, they’re sure to be a crowd favorite wherever you serve them. And since they’re so easy to make, you can whip them up whenever the craving for something sweet strikes! Enjoy this easy and delicious dessert and share it with the people you love!
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