Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings. With a buttery crumb crust and sweet cherry filling, they’re easy to make and delightfully delicious.

Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups cherry pie filling (homemade or store-bought)
• Optional: powdered sugar or melted white chocolate for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Step 3: Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the bowl. Mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
4. Step 4: Set aside ¾ cup of the crumb mixture for the topping.
5. Step 5: Press the remaining crumbs firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
6. Step 6: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust layer.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture on top of the cherry filling.
8. Step 8: Bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
9. Step 9: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
10. Step 10: If desired, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate over the bars for a festive finish.

Tips & Variations

• For a fresher taste, use homemade cherry pie filling or fresh cherries mixed with a little sugar and cornstarch.
• Swap the cherry filling with raspberry or blueberry for a different fruity twist.
• Chill the crumb mixture briefly before pressing it into the pan to make handling easier.

Storage

Store the Christmas Cherry Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or serve at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cherry pie filling?

Yes, frozen cherry pie filling works well—just thaw it completely before spreading over the crust to avoid excess moisture.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend and ensure your pie filling doesn’t contain gluten ingredients.

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

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These Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive and delicious treat perfect for holiday gatherings. With a buttery crumb crust and topping enveloping a sweet cherry pie filling, these bars bake to a golden perfection and can be garnished with powdered sugar or white chocolate for an extra touch of holiday cheer.

• Author: Anna
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust and Topping

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Filling

• 2 cups cherry pie filling (homemade or store-bought)

Optional Garnish

• Powdered sugar
• Melted white chocolate

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
2. Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, stir together the melted and cooled butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.
4. Reserve Topping Crumbs: Set aside ¾ cup of the crumb mixture to be used as a topping later.
5. Form the Crust: Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the crust layer.
6. Add Cherry Filling: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust layer to ensure every bar gets a generous amount of cherries.
7. Top with Crumbs: Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the cherry filling to create a delightful crumb topping.
8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and set.
9. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares to ensure clean cuts.
10. Garnish (Optional): Dust the cooled bars with powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for an extra festive touch, if desired.

Notes

• Use room temperature melted butter that has cooled so it doesn’t cook the flour prematurely.
• Cherry pie filling can be homemade for a fresher taste or store-bought for convenience.
• Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbling.
• For a chocolate twist, drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate.
• Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: Christmas cherry bars, cherry crumb bars, holiday dessert bars, cherry pie bars, festive dessert, crumb topping bars