Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe Jolliest Festive Bake

Sweet memories often sparkle around these christmas cherry bars that blend nostalgia with delightful flavors.

Grandma’s treasured recipe whispers stories of festive gatherings and warm kitchen moments.

Bright red cherries create a stunning visual against buttery crumb layers.

Festive desserts can transport us back to childhood celebrations with just one bite.

Rich and decadent, these bars promise a genuine connection to holiday traditions.

Crumbly textures and fruity notes invite you to savor each delectable square.

You’ll want to share these irresistible treats with everyone around the table.

Why Christmas Cherry Bars Are a Seasonal Staple

• Create festive cherry bars with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires basic mixing and simple ingredients anyone can handle.
• These bars appeal to both kids and adults, making them ideal for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend treats.
• Minimal steps and straightforward techniques mean you can whip up delicious dessert bars in under an hour, from start to finish.

What Goes Into These Festive and Fruity Bars

• Butter: Rich base that creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread foundation. Softened butter works best for smooth mixing.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, crumbly texture. Granulated white sugar recommended.
• Flour: Provides structure and creates the crisp shortbread base. All-purpose flour works perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Cherry Pie Filling: Provides the classic fruity layer with vibrant red color. Canned filling makes preparation quick and easy.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that adds depth and complements the cherry flavor. Use sparingly for best results.

• Flour: Creates the crumbly texture for the streusel-like topping. All-purpose flour works well.
• Brown Sugar: Adds rich sweetness and helps create a golden, caramelized top. Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
• Butter: Helps bind the crumb topping and adds richness. Melted butter ensures even distribution.
• Cinnamon: Optional spice that adds warmth and complexity to the topping. Ground cinnamon works best.

How to Bake Christmas Cherry Bars Step-by-Step

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, letting some hang over the edges for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Craft the Buttery Base

• Butter (softened)
• Sugar

• Flour
• Salt

Press this delectable dough evenly into the pan’s bottom. Slide it into the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the edges turn a gorgeous golden color.

Step 3: Spread Cherry Goodness

• Cherry pie filling
• Almond extract (optional)

Generously spread this vibrant mixture over the partially baked crust.

Step 4: Sprinkle Crumbly Magic

• Flour
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon (optional)
• Melted butter

Crumble this topping evenly across the cherry layer.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Return the pan to the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping transforms into a beautiful golden-brown landscape.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Using the parchment paper as handles, lift out the entire creation. Slice into squares or bars and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy.

Tips for Cutting and Serving with No Crumble

• Adjust Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, creamy mixing when creating the shortbread crust, preventing lumpy or uneven texture.
• Choose Quality Cherries: Select high-quality cherry pie filling or homemade filling for richer, more authentic flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Perfect Crumb Topping: Mix crumb ingredients until they resemble coarse, pea-sized crumbs for a crunchy, textured top that adds delightful contrast to the soft cherry base.
• Control Baking Time: Watch carefully during the final 25-30 minutes to prevent over-browning, aiming for a golden-brown crumb topping that looks perfectly caramelized.
• Alternative Flavor Boost: Experiment with adding vanilla extract or orange zest to the cherry filling for a subtle, unexpected twist that complements the sweet cherry base.

Storage Solutions That Keep the Bars Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to restore softness.
• Transfer from freezer to refrigerator overnight, then warm gently in the microwave or let sit at room temperature for best results.

What Hot Drinks Pair Perfectly with Cherry Bars

• Complement the sweet cherry bars with a rich, velvety eggnog that echoes the dessert's festive spirit and adds a luxurious holiday touch.
• Top the warm cherry bars with a scoop of smooth vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature contrast and enhancing the dessert's fruity flavors.
• Sip on a warm, spiced mulled wine that mirrors the cinnamon notes in the crumb topping and provides a cozy, festive beverage pairing.
• Brew a fragrant chai or cinnamon tea that complements the cherry and almond notes, offering a comforting and warming drink alongside the bars.

Tasty Swaps for the Cherry Filling You Can Try

• Gluten-Free Cherry Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version while maintaining the same delicious texture and flavor profile.
• Vegan Cherry Squares: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use a plant-based egg replacer to ensure the bars are dairy-free and suitable for vegan diets.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Treat: Swap regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use a reduced-sugar cherry pie filling to create a lighter, diabetes-friendly dessert option.
• Nutty Cherry Bar Remix: Add chopped pecans or sliced almonds to the crumb topping for extra crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the overall taste and nutritional value of the bars.

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 67 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas Cherry Bars bring sweet holiday cheer with their delightful blend of buttery crust and tangy cherry filling. Rich layers of seasonal comfort invite warm memories and joyful celebrations you’ll cherish.

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Ingredients

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Crust Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients:

• 1 can (21 ounces/600 g) cherry pie filling
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for effortless removal.
2. Create the shortbread foundation by combining softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl, whipping until achieving a light, airy consistency.
3. Incorporate flour and salt into the butter mixture, gently mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
4. Distribute the dough uniformly across the prepared pan, pressing firmly to create an even base layer.
5. Bake the shortbread crust for approximately 15 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of readiness.
6. While the crust bakes, blend cherry pie filling with almond extract, ensuring thorough incorporation of flavors.
7. Once the initial crust layer is lightly golden, remove from the oven and spread the cherry mixture evenly across the surface.
8. Craft the crumble topping by combining flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a separate bowl, mixing until a textured, granular consistency develops.
9. Generously sprinkle the crumble topping over the cherry layer, aiming for complete and uniform coverage.
10. Return the pan to the oven, baking for an additional 25-30 minutes until the crumble transforms into a rich, golden-brown color.
11. Allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, utilizing the parchment paper edges to carefully extract and transfer to a cutting surface.
12. Slice into precise squares or rectangular bars, serving at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Customize the crust by swapping shortbread for graham cracker or oatmeal base for added texture and nutty flavor.
• Enhance cherry filling with a splash of brandy or rum for sophisticated adult version, creating deeper, richer taste profile.
• Experiment with alternative fruit fillings like raspberry, blueberry, or mixed berry to transform recipe into versatile year-round dessert.
• Reduce sugar content by using reduced-sugar pie filling or homemade cherry compote for lighter, less sweet option perfect for health-conscious bakers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4045 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 293
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 113 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 43 mg