Christmas Cherry Bars

Step 3: Prepare the Crust and Topping

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until combined.

This dough will be slightly crumbly, which is perfect for both the base and the topping.

Step 4: Assemble the Bars

1. Take about 2/3 of the dough and press it evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the base layer.
2. Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust.
3. Crumble the remaining 1/3 of the dough over the top of the cherries to create a rustic, crumbly topping.

Pro Tip: Don’t worry about making it perfect—part of the charm of these bars is their homemade, rustic appearance.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly.

• If you notice the topping browning too quickly, loosely cover the bars with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1-2 hours. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment overhang and cut them into squares or rectangles.

Serving Tip: Dust with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch, or drizzle with white chocolate for a decadent holiday twist.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Store for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Why Christmas Cherry Bars Are a Holiday Favorite

These bars are not only visually stunning with their vibrant red cherry filling peeking through a golden crumble, but they also offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. They’re easy to make ahead, transportable, and sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

Whether it’s for a holiday party, a festive brunch, or a cozy night by the fire, Christmas Cherry Bars bring warmth, flavor, and cheer to the season.

If you want, I can also create a quick shortcut version of these bars that uses canned cherry pie filling and requires less than 30 minutes prep, perfect for last-minute holiday baking.

Do you want me to do that?