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Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 115 reviews

These Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive and delicious dessert featuring a buttery, crumbly dough base layered with luscious cherry pie filling and topped with more buttery crumbs. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they offer a tender, crisp crust with a rich cherry filling and a rustic, golden crumble topping.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

For the Filling:

  • 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cuts.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir until evenly blended.
  3. Add the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it forms pea-sized crumbles. Keep the mixture cold to help the crust bake up crisp and tender.
  4. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Stir until the dough is combined. It should be crumbly but cohesive when pressed together.
  5. Form the Base: Take about two-thirds of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Press firmly but avoid overworking the dough to maintain a tender texture.
  6. Add the Cherry Filling: Spoon the cherry pie filling over the base layer, distributing it evenly from edge to edge to ensure consistent fruit coverage.
  7. Top with Remaining Dough: Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry layer by pinching off small bits and scattering them evenly. Allow some of the filling to peek through for a rustic look.
  8. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the cherry filling is bubbling at the edges.
  9. Cool Completely: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. This allows the filling to set properly before slicing.
  10. Optional Topping: Once cooled, dust the bars with powdered sugar for a festive finish that adds a snowy look without extra sweetness.

Notes

  • Use cold butter to ensure the dough creates a crisp crust and golden crumble.
  • Line your pan with parchment paper for clean removal and even slicing.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to prevent filling from oozing out.

Keywords: Christmas dessert, cherry bars, holiday baking, cherry pie filling, crumb bars, festive dessert

Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/christmas-cherry-bars-recipe/