Drift Recipes Cherry Pie Bars Recipe: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dessert

If you love cherry pie but don’t want to deal with the hassle of a pie crust, Cherry Pie Bars are the perfect solution. These sweet, tangy bars are a simple yet indulgent way to enjoy the flavors of a traditional cherry pie, without the fuss. With a buttery shortbread crust, a thick cherry filling, and a crumbly streusel topping, this dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Let’s dive into this irresistible recipe that will have you making these bars over and over again!

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Pie Bars

Easy to Make: No pie crust rolling or complicated techniques! With just a few steps, you can have this treat ready in no time.
Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart: The cherry filling is just the right mix of sweetness and tartness, making every bite burst with flavor.
Great for Any Occasion: These bars are perfect for family gatherings, picnics, potlucks, or even just a cozy night in. They’re an ideal alternative to traditional pie.
Customizable: You can use fresh or canned cherries, and if you prefer a different fruit, feel free to swap out the cherries for blueberries, peaches, or any other fruit you love.

Ingredients for Cherry Pie Bars

Here’s what you’ll need to make these scrumptious cherry pie bars:

For the Crust:

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Cherry Filling:

2 cups fresh or canned cherries (pitted and halved, or use cherry pie filling)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Streusel Topping:

½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)

How to Make Cherry Pie Bars

Making these cherry pie bars is simple! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious dessert ready in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and salt, and mix until well combined. Gradually add the flour, mixing until the dough comes together.

Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, making sure to cover the bottom completely. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the Cherry Filling

While the crust is baking, prepare the cherry filling. If you’re using fresh cherries, pit and halve them, then combine them with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan. Stir everything together until the cherries are well coated.

Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Prepare the Streusel Topping

For the streusel topping, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4: Assemble the Bars

Once the crust has cooled slightly, spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the cherries, covering the filling completely.

Step 5: Bake the Cherry Pie Bars

Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-baking.

Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool in the pan for at least an hour before slicing. The bars will firm up as they cool, making them easier to cut and serve.

Tips for the Perfect Cherry Pie Bars

Fresh vs. Canned Cherries: Fresh cherries give a wonderful natural flavor, but canned cherry pie filling can save time and still taste delicious. If using canned filling, you can skip the steps for thickening the filling with cornstarch and sugar.
Chill the Butter for the Streusel: Cold butter creates a more crumbly and crisp streusel topping, so don’t skip the step of cutting it into cubes before adding it to the mixture.
Add Almond Extract: For an extra touch of flavor, try adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the cherry filling. It complements the cherries beautifully.
Use a Sharp Knife: When cutting the bars, make sure to use a sharp knife for clean slices. You can dip the knife in warm water to make the process easier.

How to Serve Cherry Pie Bars

These cherry pie bars are delicious on their own, but there are a few ways you can elevate the experience:

With Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top adds a creamy contrast to the sweet-tart cherries.
For Breakfast: These bars are so versatile, they make a perfect breakfast treat alongside your morning coffee or tea.
As a Gift: Packaged nicely in a box or tin, these cherry pie bars make a great homemade gift for friends and family.

Storing and Freezing Cherry Pie Bars

Storing:

Store any leftover cherry pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to a week.

Freezing:

To freeze the bars, let them cool completely before cutting and storing. Wrap them individually or in layers with parchment paper, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Pie Bars

These bars offer everything you love about cherry pie—tender crust, fruity filling, and a buttery, crumbly topping—in a more convenient, easy-to-make form. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet, these Cherry Pie Bars are the perfect treat to satisfy your dessert desires.

With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can make a dessert that tastes just as good (if not better) than the classic pie. Plus, they’re much easier to serve and store, making them perfect for gatherings, picnics, or even just for a sweet bite at home.

Final Thoughts on Cherry Pie Bars

Cherry Pie Bars are a fun and delicious way to enjoy the classic flavors of cherry pie without the hassle of dealing with a pie crust. Whether you stick to the classic cherry filling or get creative with other fruits, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With a buttery shortbread crust, tart cherry filling, and crunchy streusel topping, they’re a perfect combination of textures and flavors.

Give this recipe a try, and you’ll find that these Cherry Pie Bars quickly become a new favorite in your dessert rotation!