Cherry Pie Bars (From Scratch)

Cherry pie bars are the perfect solution for those who crave the delightful flavors of cherry pie but don’t want to go through the hassle of making a traditional pie crust. These bars feature a buttery crust, a luscious cherry filling, and a crumbly topping, all finished with a drizzle of almond icing. They are easy to make and incredibly satisfying, making them an excellent choice for any occasion. This recipe yields 16 bars and takes a total of 4 hours and 30 minutes, including cooling time.

Ingredients

Crust and Topping

• 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 cup (85g) + 2 tablespoons (11g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats, divided
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons (142g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cherry Filling

• 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (11g) cornstarch
• 3 and 1/2 cups (525g) frozen sour cherries (do not thaw)
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Almond Icing (Optional)

• 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) milk
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will make it easier to lift the bars out of the pan once they are baked. Set the prepared pan aside.

Step 2: Make the Crust and Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 cup of oats, brown sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract, and stir until the mixture resembles moist, crumbly sand with no dry spots remaining. You should have about 3 cups of crust mixture, or approximately 520 grams.

Press two-thirds of the mixture (about 2 cups or 345 grams) into the prepared baking pan, using your hands, a large spoon, a spatula, or the bottom of a measuring cup to form a crust. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Prepare the Cherry Filling

While the crust is baking, start preparing the cherry filling. Place the cornstarch in a small bowl and set it aside. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cherries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the cherries begin to release their juices—this should take about 4 to 6 minutes.

Once the cherries have released their juices, carefully remove a couple of spoonfuls of the juice and add it to the bowl of cornstarch. Mix the cornstarch and cherry juice together with a fork until the cornstarch is dissolved. Stir this mixture back into the saucepan with the cherries, and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the filling has thickened—this should take about 10 minutes. Remove the filling from the heat and stir in the almond extract.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Bars

Pour and spread the cherry filling over the warm crust. Stir the remaining 2 tablespoons of oats into the leftover crumble mixture, then sprinkle the mixture over the cherry filling. Lightly press the topping down with the back of a large spoon or flat spatula.

Bake the bars for about 40 to 50 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, with a few jammy cherry specks. The bars should take around 45 minutes to bake, depending on your oven.

Step 5: Cool and Add Icing

Once the bars are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack. After about 1 hour, you can place the whole pan in the refrigerator to help speed up the cooling process.

If you choose to add the optional almond icing, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and almond extract in a small bowl. If the icing is too thick, add more milk to thin it out to your desired consistency. Drizzle the icing over the cooled bars.

Step 6: Cut and Serve

Once the bars are completely cool, lift them out of the pan using the edges of the parchment paper lining and place the whole thing on a cutting board. Slice the bars into squares using a sharp knife. For neat squares, wipe the knife clean between each cut. Store the leftover bars (with or without icing) at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Tips and Notes

Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions

You can refrigerate the cooled bars before cutting them into squares, as mentioned in step 5. Baked and cooled bars freeze well for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw the bars overnight in the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature before serving if desired.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

• Canned or Jarred Cherries: I do not recommend using canned or jarred cherries in this recipe, as they typically contain additional ingredients that can affect the texture and flavor of the filling. If you can find a can or jar of pure cherries in liquid, they are often too soft and will cook into mush.
• Dark Sweet Cherries: You can use dark sweet cherries instead of sour cherries with a few modifications. Reduce the sugar in the filling to 1/3 cup (67 grams) and add an additional teaspoon of lemon juice. While this works well, sour cherries are still preferred for this recipe.
• 9×13-Inch Pan: If you want to make a larger batch, you can double each ingredient and bake the bars in a 9×13-inch pan. Increase the crust pre-bake time to 18 minutes and the total bake time to 1 hour, or until the filling is bubbling.

Special Tools

• 9-Inch Square Baking Pan: This recipe calls for a 9-inch square baking pan, which is ideal for achieving the right thickness and texture for the bars.
• Glass Mixing Bowl: A glass mixing bowl is helpful for mixing the crust and topping ingredients.
• Whisk: A whisk is useful for combining the dry ingredients for the crust and for making the almond icing.
• Citrus Zester and Juicer: These tools are handy for obtaining fresh lemon zest and juice, which add a bright flavor to the recipe.
• Cooling Rack: A cooling rack allows the bars to cool evenly and quickly after baking.

Conclusion

Cherry pie bars are a delightful treat that captures the essence of cherry pie in a more convenient and portable form. The combination of a buttery crust, a rich cherry filling, and a crumbly topping makes these bars irresistible. Whether you drizzle them with almond icing or enjoy them plain, these bars are sure to be a hit at any gathering. The recipe is straightforward and rewarding, making it a must-try for cherry lovers and baking enthusiasts alike.