Here’s a festive and delicious Christmas Cherry Bars recipe 🍒🎄
Perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet treat anytime.
🍒 Christmas Cherry Bars
Ingredients
For the crust and topping:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ teaspoon almond extract for extra flavor
Instructions
- Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust:
- In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth.
- Stir in flour and salt until crumbly.
- Press about 2/3 of the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan.
- Add the filling: Spread cherry pie filling evenly over the crust. Stir in vanilla (and almond extract if using).
- Top: Crumble the remaining 1/3 of the dough over the cherries.
- Bake: 35–40 minutes, until the top is lightly golden.
- Cool: Let cool completely in the pan, then cut into bars.
Tips & Variations
- Extra festive: Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top before serving.
- Cheesecake layer: Spread a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese under the cherry filling.
- Mixed berries: Use mixed berry pie filling instead of cherry.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer.
If you want a gluten-free version, mini bar version, or more decadent chocolate-cherry twist, I can give that recipe too.
