Description
These Christmas Cherry Bars are soft, buttery dessert bars filled with sweet cherry pie filling and finished with a simple vanilla glaze. They feature a tender cake-like crust, a delicious fruity center, and a beautiful golden topping. Easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients, these festive cherry bars are perfect for Christmas parties, holiday dessert tables, cookie exchanges, and family gatherings. This recipe makes 24 delicious bars.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 can cherry pie filling (21 ounces)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for the optional glaze)
- 2 tablespoons milk (for the optional glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the optional glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated and a thick batter forms.
- Spread approximately 3 cups of the batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Spoon the cherry pie filling over the bottom layer and gently spread it into an even layer without disturbing the batter underneath.
- Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry filling, leaving small spaces between them so the cherries remain visible.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the baked dough comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- For the optional glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the completely cooled bars.
- Allow the glaze to set before slicing into 24 bars. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use softened butter at room temperature for the best batter consistency.
- Spread the bottom batter layer evenly to prevent the cherry filling from soaking through.
- Do not drain the canned cherry pie filling before using it.
- Drop small portions of the remaining batter over the cherries rather than covering the entire surface.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing and slicing to help them hold their shape.
- If the glaze is too thick, add a little more milk. If it is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- For extra holiday flavor, add a little almond extract to the batter.
- You can substitute blueberry, raspberry, or apple pie filling for the cherry filling.
- Store covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze the unglazed bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Yield: 24 bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Christmas
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 253 kcal
- Sugar: 27.6 g
- Sodium: 42 mg
- Fat: 8.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 41.7 g
- Fiber: 0.6 g
- Protein: 2.8 g
- Cholesterol: 51 mg