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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Create the shortbread foundation by combining softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl, whipping until achieving a light, airy consistency.
- Incorporate flour and salt into the butter mixture, gently mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
- Distribute the dough uniformly across the prepared pan, pressing firmly to create an even base layer.
- Bake the shortbread crust for approximately 15 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indicator of readiness.
- While the crust bakes, blend cherry pie filling with almond extract, ensuring thorough incorporation of flavors.
- Once the initial crust layer is lightly golden, remove from the oven and spread the cherry mixture evenly across the surface.
- Craft the crumble topping by combining flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a separate bowl, mixing until a textured, granular consistency develops.
- Generously sprinkle the crumble topping over the cherry layer, aiming for complete and uniform coverage.
- Return the pan to the oven, baking for an additional 25-30 minutes until the crumble transforms into a rich, golden-brown color.
- Allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, utilizing the parchment paper edges to carefully extract and transfer to a cutting surface.
- 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