Description
These Cherry Pie Crumb Bars feature a buttery, crumbly crust layered with a sweet and tangy cherry filling. Perfectly balanced with fresh cherries and a hint of lemon, these bars are an easy-to-make dessert that combine the best of a cherry pie and crumb topping in convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Cherry Filling
- 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and sliced into small slices
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar
Crumb Mixture
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 2 tbsp sugar (for sprinkling on top)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Prepare Cherry Filling: In a large bowl, combine the pitted and sliced cherries with lemon juice and cornstarch. Stir thoroughly until the cherries are fully coated and the mixture is slightly thickened.
- Make Crumb Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the melted unsalted butter with 1/2 cup sugar. Add salt, baking powder, baking soda, and flour, stirring until crumbly and combined into a dough-like consistency.
- Form Bottom Crust: Press about one quarter of the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the base.
- Add Cherry Layer: Evenly spread the cherry filling over the pressed crust layer, distributing it to cover the entire surface.
- Top with Crumbs: Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the cherry layer, covering it completely.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the top crumbs are golden brown and the cherries are bubbly.
- Add Final Sugar Sprinkle and Cool: Remove from the oven and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the hot crumb topping. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh cherries for the best flavor, but frozen cherries can be substituted if fresh are unavailable (thaw and drain excess liquid).
- Lemon juice enhances cherry flavor and prevents browning.
- Make sure the bars cool completely for clean slicing.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To make bars more festive, top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
