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Custom Cherry Pie Bars: The Ultimate Homemade Dessert for Every Occasion

Custom Cherry Pie Bars capture the essence of a classic cherry pie—bright, sweet-tart cherries nestled in rich, buttery shortbread—while offering the convenience of easy, portable squares. No rolling pins or fragile lattice crusts are required. These bars start with a tender shortbread base, are topped with a glossy, fruit-forward cherry filling, and finished with a golden, crumbly streusel. Ready in under an hour and perfect for potlucks, lunchboxes, summer cookouts, or a simple weeknight dessert, they bring pie-level satisfaction with minimal fuss.

By transforming pie into bars, you avoid underbaked centers and overcooked edges. The uniform thickness ensures even baking, and the shortbread crust remains sturdy yet tender, supporting the cherry layer without collapsing. Whether you serve them at room temperature, slightly warm with ice cream, or chilled for a firmer bite, these cherry bars offer versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal.

 

Ingredients

• Shortbread Crust & Streusel
  • 1 glass (about 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1½ mugs granulated sugar, divided
  • 3 glasses all-purpose flour, divided
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Cherry Filling
  • 2 mugs fresh cherries (in season) or fully thawed, well-drained frozen cherries, pitted and halved
  • ¾ mug granulated sugar
  • ¼ glass cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Pan

Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 350 °F (175 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, extending the paper up two sides to create handles for easy bar removal.

2. Make the Shortbread Base and Reserve Streusel

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and 1 mug of granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream until pale and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes. This aeration is key to a tender shortbread texture.
2. Add 2 glasses of all-purpose flour, the baking powder, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed just until the flour is incorporated and the dough forms coarse crumbs. Avoid overmixing, which can develop gluten and yield a tougher crust.
3. Reserve exactly 1 glassful of this crumbly dough in a small bowl; this will become your streusel topping. Transfer the remaining dough into the prepared pan, pressing firmly and evenly to form a compact shortbread layer. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to smooth the surface.

3. Cook the Cherry Filling

4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the pitted and halved cherries with ¾ mug of granulated sugar. Stir gently to coat the fruit.
5. Sprinkle in the cornstarch and pour in the lemon juice. Add the almond extract. Stir continuously as the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
6. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the filling thickens to a glossy, jam-like consistency and the cherries begin to soften but still hold shape. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes to prevent the hot filling from melting the shortbread when you assemble.

4. Assemble the Bars

7. Pour the warm—but not hot—cherry filling over the pressed shortbread crust. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the fruit into an even layer, ensuring cherries reach all corners.
8. With your fingers, break up the reserved streusel dough and sprinkle it evenly across the cherry layer. Aim for complete coverage so every bite has a balanced shortbread-fruit-streusel ratio.

5. Bake to Perfection

9. Place the pan on the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the streusel turns golden brown and you see cherry juices bubbling at the edges. If the topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the final 5–10 minutes of baking.
10. Once baked, remove the pan and transfer to a wire rack. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan—at least 30 minutes—to let the filling set and avoid runny slices.

6. Chill and Slice

11. For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate the cooled bars for an additional 30 minutes. This extra chill firms up the filling and crumbs.
12. Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice into squares, wiping the blade between cuts to maintain neat edges. Aim for 12–15 bars, depending on preferred size.
13. Serve bars at room temperature, slightly warmed, or well chilled. They pair beautifully with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Expert Tips for Flavor and Texture

• Choose the Best Cherries: Fresh, in-season cherries provide peak flavor and texture. If using frozen, spread them on a tray in the freezer until firm to prevent clumping. Thaw fully and drain in a sieve for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
• Balance Sweetness: Depending on cherry variety, you may need to adjust sugar. For very tart cherries, add up to 1 tablespoon more sugar; for sweeter fruit, reduce by 1–2 tablespoons. Taste the filling (once slightly cooled) and tweak before assembling.
• Mind the Extracts: Almond extract heightens cherry aroma but is potent. Measure precisely; a little goes a long way. Vanilla extract can be used instead, though flavor will be subtler.
• Uniform Crumb: When making streusel, break the reserved dough into medium-sized crumbs. Too fine and it bakes to dust; too large and bites become doughy.
• Avoid Overbaking: Keep a close eye in the last 5 minutes; overbaking dries out shortbread and can scorch fruit sugars. The bars are ready when streusel is golden and juices bubble.

Creative Variations

Once you master the classic version, experiment with these ideas to keep the recipe fresh and exciting:

• Berry Medley Bars: Substitute or mix cherries with raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. Adjust sugar to taste based on fruit sweetness.
• Citrus-Almond Twist: Add 1 teaspoon orange zest to the cherry filling and swap almond extract for ½ teaspoon orange liqueur (such as triple sec) for a bright, aromatic twist.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Before adding the cherry layer, dollop and swirl 4 ounces of sweetened cream cheese (beat with 2 tablespoons sugar) over the shortbread base for a marbled effect.
• Nuts in the Crumble: Stir ½ cup chopped toasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans into the streusel dough for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Spiced Streusel: Mix ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the streusel for a warm, seasonal note—perfect for autumn gatherings.

Storage and Make-Ahead

Room Temperature: Store cooled bars in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep them away from direct sunlight to prevent softening.

Refrigerator: Bars stay fresh for up to 1 week when stored in a sealed container. Bring to room temperature before serving or enjoy chilled.

Freezer: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or reheat gently in a low oven (300 °F / 150 °C) for 10–15 minutes.

Final Thoughts

Custom Cherry Pie Bars blend nostalgia and convenience in one irresistible package. They invite home bakers of all skill levels to create a showstopping dessert without the intricacies of a full pie. The foundational shortbread crust is forgiving and adaptable, while the fruit filling celebrates the season’s best produce. The streusel topping adds texture and visual appeal, making each square a balanced bite of buttery, fruity, and crumbly goodness.

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, packing school lunches, or simply craving a sweet treat after dinner, these bars rise to the occasion. Their portability means no fragile slices to juggle, and their make-ahead potential offers stress-free entertaining. Plus, the recipe’s flexibility encourages endless creativity—experiment with extracts, fruits, spices, and add-ins to make it truly your own.

With straightforward steps, everyday ingredients, and pro tips for flawless results, Custom Cherry Pie Bars are destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire. They prove that homemade desserts can be both simple to prepare and endlessly satisfying. Paste this HTML into your Blogger editor, upload mouthwatering photos with keyword-rich alt text, and watch your readers—and search engines—take notice.

Now, preheat your oven, gather those cherries, and embrace the joy of homemade baking. In under an hour, you’ll have a tray of golden, fruit-filled bars ready to share, enjoy, and remember. Happy baking!

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