Cherry Pie Bars are a classic dessert or breakfast treat. Tender cake is topped with cherry pie filling and the top is dalloped with cake and drizzled with a frosting glaze. It is much easier to make than traditional cherry pie but still gives you all the flavors!
If you are not a baker, then this is the perfect dessert recipe for you! It is extremely easy to make and just about foolproof. The recipe calls for canned cherry pie filling and the cake batter/dough is a simple measure and mix recipe.
Cherry Pie Filling
One reason this recipe is so easy is that it calls for canned cherry pie filling. You will not be pitting cherries and making your own filling, nobody got time for that (at least I don’t).
You can make this recipe with one or two cans of cherry pie filling. The photos in this post show one can. However, I do like 2 cans a little better because…. more cherries!
But if cherries are not your jam, you can check out this recipe for Apple Pie Bars which are equally as delicious and easy!
Almond Extract
Almond extract is a very distinct flavor and smell. In my opinion there is no substitute for it in a recipe that calls for it.
However, it is very strong so you definitely want to be careful how much you add or you not taste any other ingredients in the recipe.
In this homemade cherry pie bar recipe you will add almond extract to the batter and the powdered sugar glaze. It is just enough to give it that almond flavor, but not too much to overpower.
How to Make Cherry Pie Bars
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare/grease your 9×13 baking pan with butter, or baking spray.
KITCHEN TIP: After you take the softened butter out of the paper or foil, take the paper/foil and rub it in your baking dish and there should be enough to grease the entire pan.
In a large mixing bowl, with a hand mixer, cream the 1 cup softened butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 tsp almond extract together until it is light yellow and a little fluffy. Add the eggs to the mixture, one at a time.
Sift the 3 cups of flour and baking powder into the batter. Mix it in until it is fully incorporated, but do not over mix.
Spread 2/3 of the batter into your prepared baking dish, pour the cherry pie filling over the batter and spread it out so that each bite will have a cherry- YUM!
Now dollop the remaining batter across the top of the cherries.
Bake for 25 minutes, until the edges are golden and the cake is cooked through. If you are using a glass 9×13 pan you may need to bake for 30 minutes.
While the cherry pie bars are baking mix up the frosting glaze by combining 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp milk and a couple dashes of almond extract.
Let the bars cool and then drizzle with the glaze. Cut into 16 bars.
Storing Cherry Pie Bars
You can store your cherry pie bars just like you would a pie, on the counter in a pan, covered, for up to 4 days.
Cherry Pie Bar Recipe
Cherry Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1½ cups white sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract plus a couple dashes for the glaze
- 4 eggs
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 or 2 21 oz can(s) cherry pie filling can use 1 or 2 cans. If you like a lot of cherries I highly recommend using 2, but if you like more cake only use 1.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, cream the butter, 1 tsp. almond extract, and sugar. Mix in the eggs, one at a time.
- Sift the flour and baking powder into the batter, mix until it is completely incorporated.
- Spread 2/3 of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Pour the cherries over the batter and make sure the cherries are evenly distributed. Dollop the remaining batter over the top of the cherries.
- Bake for 25 minutes. If you use a glass baking dish you may need to bake for an extra 4-5 minutes.
- While the bars bake mix the glaze my combining the 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tbsp milk , and a couple dashes of almond extract. You may need to add a couple drops of milk to get a drizzle consistency.
- Once the bars are out of the oven and cooled, drizzle with the powdered sugar glaze and cut into 16 squares.
- Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 4 days.
Emily says
I love the cherry and almond flavors together in this recipe! Yum!!
John says
Perfect for any occasion….birthdays, Thanksgiving, Tuesdays…. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!