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The Delightful Cherry Pie Bars: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dessert

Cherry pie is a beloved dessert, known for its sweet and tangy filling nestled in a buttery, flaky crust. While a traditional cherry pie is always a hit, sometimes you want a quicker, more portable version that still delivers the same delicious flavor. Enter the Cherry Pie Bars — a delightful treat that combines the essence of a classic cherry pie with the convenience and ease of bars. These bars are perfect for parties, family gatherings, or just as a sweet indulgence for yourself. In this article, we’ll explore how to make these delightful cherry pie bars step-by-step, ensuring every bite is as scrumptious as the last.


Why Choose Cherry Pie Bars?

Cherry pie bars are the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. Unlike a full pie, these bars don’t require the precision of a crust and filling placed into a pie pan. Instead, you use a baking pan and layer the ingredients, making it easier to slice into squares or rectangles. The flavors of the sweet cherry filling, buttery crust, and the soft crumble topping all meld together beautifully. Whether you’re hosting a bake sale, a holiday party, or looking for a comforting dessert at home, these cherry pie bars are bound to be a crowd-pleaser.


Ingredients

To make the delightful cherry pie bars, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Crust:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 large egg (for the dough)

For the Cherry Filling:

  • 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling (or fresh/frozen cherries, see method for homemade filling)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (if using fresh cherries)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (if using fresh cherries)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Crumble Topping:

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Method: Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cherry Pie Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the butter: Cut the cold, cubed butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Add the egg: Add the egg to the dough and mix until it forms a soft dough. You may need to use your hands to bring everything together.
  5. Press the dough into the pan: Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan to create a solid crust. Use the back of a spoon to smooth it out.
  6. Bake the crust: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden. Remove it from the oven and set aside while you prepare the filling.

Step 2: Make the Cherry Filling (if using fresh cherries)

  1. Prepare the fresh cherries: If you’re using fresh cherries, wash and pit them. Chop them into small pieces.
  2. Cook the filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries (or cherry pie filling), sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Let it cool: Once the filling has thickened and is bubbly, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before spreading it over the crust.

    If you’re using canned cherry pie filling, skip this step and simply use it as is.

Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping

  1. Combine the crumble ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter. Stir until everything is well combined and the mixture resembles a crumbly texture.
  2. Set aside: Set the crumble mixture aside while you assemble the bars.

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