Easy Cherry Pie Bars – The Perfect Dessert for Summer Gatherings
A buttery shortbread crust topped with sweet cherry filling, all finished with a golden crumble topping. These cherry pie bars are a perfect mix of a classic pie and a convenient bar cookie.
Ingredients
- For the Crust and Topping:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter cold and cubed
- 1 large egg beaten
- For the Cherry Filling:
- 1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
- 1 tbsp cornstarch optional, for thickening
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare the crust and topping:
- In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the beaten egg to form a dough.
- Press about ⅔ of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
- Make the cherry filling:
- In a separate bowl, mix cherry pie filling and cornstarch (if using). Stir to combine and thicken the filling.
- Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust.
- Add the crumble topping:
- Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry filling, covering as much of the surface as possible.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the crust and topping are golden brown.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen cherries instead of canned cherry pie filling. Just cook them down with a little sugar and cornstarch to make a simple filling.
- Add a dusting of powdered sugar on top for a festive finish or drizzle with a simple glaze.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSugar: 15g
Tried this recipe?Mention @onehourrecipes or tag #onehourrecipes!