🍒 How to Make a Tray of the Most Delicious Cherry Pie Bars – Easy, Shareable & Irresistibly Flaky! 🥧✨

3️⃣ Prepare the Cherry Filling

• While the crust is baking, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract in a medium saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy (around 5–7 minutes).
• Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

4️⃣ Assemble the Bars

• Once the crust is partially baked, spread the cherry filling evenly over it.
• Crumble the remaining one-third of dough over the top to create a rustic, crumbly topping. Don’t worry if it’s uneven – that’s part of the charm!

5️⃣ Bake to Perfection

• Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly.
• Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This helps the filling set and makes slicing easier.

6️⃣ Slice and Serve

• Using the parchment overhang, lift the bars out of the pan.
• Cut into squares or rectangles.
• Dust with powdered sugar if desired for a picture-perfect finish.

Tips for the Perfect Cherry Pie Bars

• Use frozen cherries in winter: They work perfectly, just thaw and drain excess juice.
• Flaky crust hack: Keep the butter cold, and don’t overmix the dough. Small bits of butter create a flaky texture.
• Sweetness balance: Taste your cherries – adjust sugar accordingly, especially if they are tart.
• Make ahead: These bars store well in an airtight container for 3–4 days and taste even better after a day when the flavors meld.

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Pie Bars

• Shareable: Perfect for parties and gatherings.
• Easy: No rolling or lattice work needed.
• Deliciously flaky: A buttery crust with crumbly topping.
• Customizable: Add chocolate chips, almond slivers, or a drizzle of glaze if you like.

🍒 Whether you serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or straight from the pan, these cherry pie bars are sure to disappear fast. They’re simple, festive, and utterly irresistible – a tray of happiness in every bite! 🥧✨

If you want, I can also make a visual step-by-step guide with pictures for each stage so you can follow it like a professional baking tutorial. It would make it super easy to bake perfectly every time.

Do you want me to make that?