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Delicious Cherry Pie Bars: A Crowd-Pleasing Birthday Treat

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s festive, easy to serve, and guaranteed to make guests smile, Cherry Pie Bars are a winning choice. They combine all the nostalgic flavors of a classic cherry pie—juicy filling, buttery crust, and sweet glaze—into a handheld treat that’s perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or any gathering. Unlike traditional pie, which requires slicing and serving, cherry pie bars are baked in a sheet pan and cut into neat squares, making them ideal for feeding a crowd.

Why Cherry Pie Bars?

Convenience: No rolling out pie crusts; the batter spreads easily.
Flavor: Buttery vanilla base with bursts of cherry filling.
Versatility: Can be customized with different pie fillings (blueberry, apple, peach).
Celebration-ready: Cut into squares, drizzle with glaze, and you’ve got a colorful, party-perfect dessert.

Ingredients

For the Crust and Topping

1 cup (230 g) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

For the Filling

2 cans (21 oz / ~600 g each) cherry pie filling

For the Glaze

1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla, if preferred)

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 15×10-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla extract.
Gradually stir in flour and salt until a soft, thick batter forms.

Step 2: Create the Base Layer

Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth it out—it doesn’t have to be perfect.
This will form the buttery crust that holds the cherry filling.