Scrumptious Crumb-Topped Cherry Pie Bars Recipe for Sweet Fans

Sweet memories flood back when I think about these delightful crumb-topped cherry pie bars that blend nostalgia with pure deliciousness.

Grandma’s kitchen always smelled incredible when she baked similar treats during summer afternoons.

Tart cherries nestled beneath a buttery, golden crumb topping create a dessert that feels both comforting and elegant.

Soft, tender pastry provides the perfect foundation for bursting fruit flavors that dance across your palate.

Each bite promises a delicate balance between sweet and tangy notes that will make you close your eyes in pure satisfaction.

Crisp edges and a generous layer of crumbly topping ensure every slice looks as stunning as it tastes.

You can’t help but smile when these beautiful bars emerge from the oven, promising a delectable moment of pure culinary joy.

Tips For Crunchy Crumb Topping On Bars

• Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the pan to create a solid, uniform base that holds together when sliced.
• Use frozen cherries for a more intense, concentrated flavor and easier preparation compared to fresh cherries.
• Ensure the crust is fully cooled before adding icing to maintain the crisp texture and prevent potential sogginess.
• Add lemon zest and juice to brighten the cherry filling and cut through the sweetness, creating a more complex taste profile.
• Sprinkle extra oats into the crumb topping for added texture and a delightful crunch that complements the soft cherry filling.

Creative Ways To Change Pie Bar Flavors

• Gluten-Free Cherry Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same delicious crumbly texture.
• Vegan Cherry Crumble Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine and use plant-based milk to create a dairy-free alternative that's equally rich and satisfying.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Dessert Bars: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia and use fresh cherries instead of frozen to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the fruity flavor.
• Seasonal Berry Variation: Exchange cherries with mixed berries like raspberries or blueberries for a versatile fruit bar that adapts to different seasonal produce and taste preferences.

Serving Crumb Cherry Pie Bars For Dessert

• Festive Dessert Platter: Arrange bars on a rustic wooden board with fresh cherries, mint leaves, and a dusting of powdered sugar for a stunning presentation.
• Comfort Serving Style: Warm the bars slightly and serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent treat.
• Coffee Companion: Pair these bars with a hot espresso or chai latte to enhance the sweet cherry and almond flavors during afternoon tea or brunch.
• Picnic Perfect: Pack the cooled bars in individual parchment wraps for a delightful outdoor dessert that travels well and looks charming.

Pie Bars Kept Fresh With Easy Storage

• Store cooled cherry pie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual bars or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Place in freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Transfer frozen bars to refrigerator overnight for gentle thawing. Alternatively, let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in microwave for 15-20 seconds or in preheated oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes. Warm briefly to maintain texture and prevent overcooking.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in the cherry pie bars?

The key ingredients include flour, oats, brown sugar, butter, frozen cherries, cornstarch, lemon juice, and optional icing sugar.

• Are these bars suitable for vegetarian diets?

Yes, the recipe is vegetarian-friendly and contains no meat or animal-based proteins.

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?

Fresh cherries can work, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and potentially reduce liquid since they release more moisture than frozen cherries.

• How do I know when the bars are fully baked?

The bars are done when the top turns golden brown and the cherry filling is visibly bubbling around the edges of the pan.

Crumb-Topped Cherry Pie Bars For Sweet Cravings

• Quick and Easy Preparation: Whip up these delightful cherry pie bars with minimal effort, using simple ingredients and straightforward steps that even beginner bakers can master.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or a sweet treat after dinner, these bars combine the classic charm of cherry pie with the convenience of a handheld dessert.
• Texture Sensation: Enjoy the delightful contrast between the crumbly oat-based crust, the juicy cherry filling, and the optional sweet drizzle that adds an extra layer of indulgence.
• Seasonal Flexibility: Swap frozen cherries with fresh seasonal fruits or berries to create a year-round dessert that adapts to your taste and available ingredients.

Ingredient List For Crumb Cherry Pie Bars

• Flour: Provides the foundation for the bar's structure and texture.
• Oats: Adds a hearty, wholesome element to the crumb topping and base.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps bind the crumb mixture.
• Butter: Creates richness and helps hold the crumb base together.

• Frozen Cherries: Delivers the primary fruity flavor and juicy filling.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the cherry filling and prevent excess liquid.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances the sweetness of the cherry mixture.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances the cherry's sweetness.

• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, subtle background flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Offers a fresh, citrusy note to the crumb base.
• Almond Extract: Adds a delicate, nutty undertone to the cherry filling.
• Baking Powder: Helps the base rise slightly and become tender.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness of the bars.
• Icing Ingredients (Optional): Provides a sweet, decorative finish to the bars.

Steps To Bake Crumb-Topped Pie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up your oven to 350F (177C).

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for your delicious cherry bars.

Step 2: Create Crumb Base

• All-purpose flour
• Rolled oats
• Brown sugar
• Baking powder
• Lemon zest
• Salt

Stir everything together until well blended.

Step 3: Add Moisture Ingredients

Pour in melted butter and vanilla extract.

Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes slightly crumbly and holds together.

Step 4: Form Crust and Topping

Set aside one cup of the crumb mixture for later.

Press the remaining mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan, creating an even base layer.

Step 5: Prepare Cherry Filling

• Cornstarch
• Frozen cherries
• Granulated sugar
• Lemon juice
• Almond extract

Combine ingredients until cherries are evenly coated.

Step 6: Assemble Bars

Spread the cherry filling smoothly across the crust layer, ensuring even distribution.

Step 7: Add Crumb Topping

Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cherry filling.

Add a few extra oats to the topping for extra crunch.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top turns golden brown and cherry filling bubbles around the edges.

Step 9: Cool and Set

Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack.

This helps the filling set and makes cutting easier.

Step 10: Optional Drizzle

If desired, whip up a quick icing and drizzle over the cooled bars for an extra touch of sweetness.

Crumb-Topped Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Irresistible Cherry Pie Bars bring classic American dessert comfort to your kitchen with a delightful twist. Sweet cherries nestled in a buttery crust and crowned with a crumbly streusel topping promise pure baking bliss you’ll savor to the last crumb.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (188g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (85g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 10 tablespoons (142g) unsalted butter, melted

Additional Dry Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (11g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350F (177C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Create the base mixture by combining flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Incorporate melted butter and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients, stirring until a cohesive crumbly texture forms.
4. Separate 1 cup of the mixture for the topping, then firmly press the remaining mixture into the prepared pan, creating an even base layer.
5. Craft the cherry filling by blending cornstarch, frozen cherries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and almond extract until well integrated.
6. Distribute the cherry filling uniformly across the prepared crust, ensuring complete and even coverage.
7. Enhance the reserved topping by mixing in additional oats, then generously sprinkle over the cherry filling.
8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and bubbling cherry filling as indicators of doneness.
9. Allow the baked bars to cool completely within the pan, placed on a wire rack to ensure proper setting.
10. Optional: Prepare and drizzle icing over the cooled bars for added sweetness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Choose frozen cherries at peak ripeness for the most vibrant flavor and intense color in your bars.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend to make these bars celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
• Use quick-cooking oats for a more uniform crumb consistency that binds perfectly in the topping and base.
• Add a sprinkle of sliced almonds to the crumb topping for extra crunch and nutty depth that complements the cherry filling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 165
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg