Description
These cherry pie bars feature a buttery oat crust, a jammy homemade cherry filling, and a sweet almond drizzle. Easier than traditional pie, this recipe is perfect for gatherings, make-ahead desserts, or a cozy treat at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (85g) + 2 Tablespoons (11g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 10 Tablespoons (142g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons (11g) cornstarch
- 3 and 1/2 cups (525g) frozen sour cherries (do not thaw)
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar (optional icing)
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) milk (optional icing)
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional icing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix flour, 1 cup oats, brown sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt.
- Add melted butter and vanilla; stir until crumbly and moist.
- Press two-thirds of the mixture into the pan as crust and bake for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, cook cherries, sugar, and lemon juice until juices are released (4–6 mins).
- Whisk some hot cherry juice with cornstarch, then return to saucepan. Cook until thickened (about 10 mins). Stir in almond extract.
- Spread the cherry filling over the baked crust.
- Add remaining oats to the leftover crumb mixture, sprinkle over the cherry filling, and lightly press.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Cool completely in the pan. Refrigerate to speed up cooling if desired.
- Optional: Mix confectioners’ sugar, milk, and almond extract for icing. Drizzle over cooled bars.
- Lift bars from the pan, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Cool completely before slicing for neat bars.
- Use sour cherries for the most authentic flavor.
- Freeze leftover bars for up to 3 months.
- Optional icing adds sweetness and almond flavor.
- Substitute dark sweet cherries if sour cherries aren’t available, adjusting sugar and lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cherry pie bars, cherry dessert bars, oat crumble bars, homemade cherry filling, easy cherry bars