Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Cherry Bars, featuring a buttery, soft cake base layered with luscious cherry pie filling and topped with a sweet almond glaze. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars combine a tender crumb with fruity tartness and a smooth, sugary finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Base and Topping Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cherry Filling
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
Almond Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10×15-inch baking pan to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined to form the dough.
- Assemble Base Layer: Spread about three-quarters of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to create a firm base layer. Reserve the remaining dough for topping.
- Add Cherry Filling: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough base, distributing it carefully to cover the entire surface.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Drop small spoonfuls of the reserved dough over the cherry filling, creating a patchwork topping that will bake into a golden crust.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Prepare the Almond Glaze: While the bars bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until the glaze is smooth and free of lumps.
- Glaze the Bars: Once baked, allow the bars to cool slightly before drizzling the almond glaze evenly over the top to add sweetness and a hint of almond flavor.
- Serve: Cut the bars into 24 pieces and serve once completely cooled to let the glaze set and flavors meld.
Notes
- For a sharper cherry flavor, use a cherry filling with natural tart cherries.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk slightly or add more powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean slices.
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract if you prefer a more classic glaze flavor.
