Cherry crumb bars have the most delicious cherry pie filling and shortbread crust. Made with simple ingredients, canned cherry filling or homemade – ready in 45 minutes! The crust and crumb topping are made from the same mixture.
These cherry bars are the most amazing easy dessert for Thanksgiving or the holidays. Easier than cherry pie, the perfect easy dessert recipe for potlucks and picnics.
We love homemade cherry pie and these cherry pie bars are easier than making a pie.
Why this recipe works
- Ease – Easy to make, simple ingredients, crust and crumb topping made from the same batter.
- Canned pie filling or homemade – Use canned cherry pie filling or make homemade, using frozen or fresh cherries.
- Crowd-pleaser – Cut into squares, this dessert bar is perfect for holiday cookie platters.
- Nostalgic recipe – Similar to Mom’s raspberry bars, these cherry bars are old-fashioned dessert.
What you’ll need
- All-purpose flour – Use a high-quality, unbleached all-purpose flour. Our favorites are Bob’s Red Mill, King Arthur Flour and Farmer Direct Foods.
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the crust and topping.
- Brown sugar – This gives a depth of molasses flavor and softens the shortbread crust.
- Butter – Using unsalted helps control the amount of salt in baking recipes.
- Baking powder – This leavening agent helps the crust rise.
- Salt – Salt is added to baked goods to enhance and balance flavors.
- Vanilla & almond extract – Adds a touch of flavor.
- Cherry pie filling – Use canned filling or make homemade cherry pie filling.
How to make cherry bars
- Prepare the filling – If making homemade cherry pie filling, make ahead and refrigerate overnight.
- Prepare baking pan – Line a 9×13-inch pan parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Preheat the oven – Preheat to 350 degrees F.
- Make the crumb mixture – In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, flour, salt, and baking powder and stir to combine.
- Assemble – Press ¾ of the shortbread mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread cherry filling over top. Use your fingers to evenly distribute the crumb mixture.
- Bake – Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool & enjoy – Cool completely, cut into bars and serve.
Cherry bars are such an easy dessert. They’re also wonderful for holiday baking and incorporating into holiday cookie trays. Be sure and try Mom’s raspberry bars and grandma’s holiday punch.
Homemade cherry pie filling is easy to make with fresh cherries or frozen cherries. Bulk frozen cherries are readily available at BJ’s, wholesale clubs and Walmart. They’re super convenient, since sour cherries are pre-pitted and frozen at peak of ripeness.
If you’re a fan of cherry desserts, be sure and try cherry cobbler, cherry crumb pie, cherry crisp and grandma’s cherry pie bars.
More easy dessert recipes
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Cherry Crumb Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 (21-ounce can) cherry pie filling (OR 2 cups homemade filling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract, almond extract, flour, salt, and baking powder and stir to combine. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula. The mixture will look like crumbs, but hold together when you pinch it with your fingers.
- Press ¾ of the shortbread mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Spread the cherry pie filling over the bottom layer.
- Use your hands to evenly distribute the reserved crumb mixture over the cherry pie filling layer.
- Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until lightly golden brown and the jam is bubbling. Cool completely before cutting into bars.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
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Melissa Bailey says
why don’t you print a recipe for homemade cherry pie filling.
Jessica Robinson says
Hey Melissa!
perhaps you missed that the recipe is linked to our cherry pie filling….
Seanna Borrows says
Love these Cherry Crumb Bars! The crust and the topping are buttery delicious. And love the pro tip of using frozen pre-pitted cherries! That’s such a time saver!
Jessica Robinson says
Thank you so much!! I keep frozen cherries in the freezer at all times. They’re so useful for all sort of dishes!