Irresistible Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
Indulge in the festive flavors of these Irresistible Christmas Cherry Bars featuring a buttery, chewy base layered with a luscious cherry filling and a sweet optional glaze. Perfectly balanced with tart cherries and a hint of lemon, these bars make a delightful holiday treat or a year-round favorite dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Base
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
For the Filling
- 2 cups pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Topping (Optional)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to create a consistent warm environment for even baking of your cherry bars.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to ensure an airy, well-mixed base for the bars.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, about 3 to 5 minutes, which is crucial for the bars’ perfect texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain smooth batter. Stir in vanilla extract gently to infuse warmth and aroma.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring just until blended to avoid overmixing which could toughen the bars.
- Make Cherry Filling: In a separate bowl, mix pitted cherries with granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. This mixture thickens during baking and balances tartness with sweetness.
- Assemble the Bars: Spread half of the batter evenly into a greased baking pan, then layer the cherry filling on top. Spoon the remaining batter over the cherries carefully to cover them.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool the Bars: Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to prevent sogginess.
- Optional Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth to create a glaze. Drizzle over cooled bars for an extra touch of sweetness and festive appeal.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cherries; if frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
- Adjust sugar in the filling according to the sweetness of your cherries.
- For an even richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of almond extract with the vanilla.
- If you prefer a thicker glaze, reduce the milk quantity.
- Chill the bars for easier slicing if they feel too soft after cooling.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
Keywords: Christmas cherry bars, cherry dessert bars, cherry filling bars, holiday desserts, baked cherry bars, festive treats
