Classic Cherry Pie Bar Recipe makes an amazing dessert or breakfast treat and is much easier than cherry pie. Almond flavored cake is topped with canned cherry pie filling and then drizzled with a powder sugar glaze.
(1 or 2)21 ozcan(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.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking pan.
non-stick spray
In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, cream the butter, 1 tsp. almond extract, and sugar for about 2 minutes. Can sub vanilla extract if almond extract flavor is not your favorite.
1 cup butter, softened, 1½ cups white sugar, 1 teaspoon almond extract
Mix in the eggs, one at a time.
4 eggs
Add the flour and baking powder into the batter, mix until it is completely incorporated.
3 cups all purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
Spread ⅔ of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. It will be very sticky!! An offset spatula sprayed with non-stick spray can make this task easier.
Pour the cherries over the batter and make sure the cherries are evenly distributed. With a spoon dollop the remaining batter over the top of the cherries.
(1 or 2) 21 oz can(s) cherry pie filling
In a dark metal pan, bake for 30-35 minutes. If you use a glass baking dish you may need to bake for 45-50 minutes.
Glaze
While the bars bake, mix the glaze by combining the ½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk , and a couple dashes of almond extract. You may need to add a couple drops of milk to get a drizzle consistency.
½ cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk
Serving
Once the bars are out of the oven let them cool for about 20 minutes.Cut into 12 or 16 squares. drizzle with the powdered sugar glaze and cut into 16 squares.
Serve drizzled with the powdered sugar glaze.Optionally serve with a dollop or whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!
Storing
Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 4 days.
Notes
APPLE- if you love apple too, check out these Apple Pie Bars!LEMON- for a lemon twist, check out these Lemon Pie Bars!