Dinner

Cherry Pie Bars 🍒🍰

If you’re looking for an easy dessert that’s bursting with sweet cherry flavor, these Cherry Pie Bars are guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Cherry Pie Bars 🍒🍰

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. These delicious dessert bars come together easily.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  3. Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  4. In a large bowl, cream together:
  5. Butter
  6. Granulated sugar
  7. until light and fluffy.
  8. Beat in:
  9. Eggs
  10. Vanilla extract
  11. Almond extract (if using)
  12. In a separate bowl, whisk together:
  13. Flour
  14. Baking powder
  15. Salt
  16. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined.
  17. Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  18. Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter.
  19. Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry layer.
  20. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.
  21. Allow the bars to cool completely.
  22. Whisk together:
  23. Powdered sugar
  24. Milk
  25. Vanilla extract
  26. until smooth.
  27. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
  28. Slice into squares and serve.

If you’re looking for an easy dessert that’s bursting with sweet cherry flavor, these Cherry Pie Bars are guaranteed to become a family favorite. With a soft, buttery cookie-like crust, a generous layer of luscious cherry pie filling, and a sweet vanilla glaze drizzled over the top, these bars deliver all the flavors of homemade cherry pie—without the hassle of rolling out pie dough.

Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, holidays, or weekend baking, these easy bars are as beautiful as they are delicious. They’re simple to prepare, slice neatly, and are always one of the first desserts to disappear.

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Why You’ll Love These Cherry Pie Bars

These buttery bars are perfect for any occasion.

Soft, Buttery Crust

Tender and rich with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Loaded with Cherry Filling

Every bite is filled with sweet, juicy cherries.

Easy to Make

Simple pantry ingredients and no pie crust to roll.

Perfect for Sharing

Ideal for parties, picnics, and holiday dessert tables.

Make-Ahead Friendly

They taste even better the next day.

What Do Cherry Pie Bars Taste Like?

These bars have a soft, buttery cake-like base topped with sweet-tart cherry pie filling and finished with a light vanilla glaze. The combination of rich butter, juicy cherries, and sweet icing creates a dessert that’s both comforting and irresistible.

They’re like a cross between a sugar cookie, coffee cake, and classic cherry pie.

Benefits of Making Cherry Pie Bars

Beginner-Friendly

Easy enough for bakers of any skill level.

Budget-Friendly

Made with simple, affordable ingredients.

Perfect for Holidays

A colorful dessert for Christmas, Easter, or summer gatherings.

Easy to Customize

Swap the cherry filling for your favorite fruit.

Ingredients

For the Bars

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but delicious with cherries)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

For the Vanilla Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnishes

  • Fresh cherries
  • Sliced almonds
  • Powdered sugar

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Essential Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cooling rack

Ingredient Additions and Substitutions

Customize these bars with your favorite flavors.

Pie Filling Options

Replace cherry with:

  • Blueberry
  • Apple
  • Peach
  • Raspberry
  • Strawberry

Flavor Variations

Add:

  • Lemon zest
  • Cinnamon
  • Almond extract
  • White chocolate chips

Crunchy Topping

Sprinkle with:

  • Chopped pecans
  • Sliced almonds
  • Crumble topping

How to Make Cherry Pie Bars

These delicious dessert bars come together easily.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a large bowl, cream together:

  • Butter
  • Granulated sugar

until light and fluffy.

Beat in:

  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • Almond extract (if using)

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined.

Step 4: Assemble

Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.

Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter.

Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry layer.

Step 5: Bake

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.

Allow the bars to cool completely.

Step 6: Make the Glaze

Whisk together:

  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract

until smooth.

Drizzle over the cooled bars.

Slice into squares and serve.

What to Serve with Cherry Pie Bars

These fruity bars pair wonderfully with:

Favorite Pairings

  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Whipped cream
  • Fresh berries
  • Hot coffee
  • Iced tea
  • Hot chocolate

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature

Store covered for up to 2 days.

Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer

Freeze individual bars for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

General Information

Cherry Pie Bars are a beloved American dessert that captures the flavors of traditional cherry pie in an easy-to-make bar form. Their buttery crust and sweet fruit filling make them a popular choice for bake sales, potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings.

Nutritional Information

Approximate values per serving (based on 16 bars):

  • Calories: 285
  • Protein: 3g
  • Carbohydrates: 39g
  • Fat: 13g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 24g
  • Sodium: 120mg

Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

Conclusion

These Cherry Pie Bars are everything you love about classic cherry pie in an easy, handheld dessert. With their buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and simple vanilla glaze, they’re perfect for holidays, potlucks, family gatherings, or whenever you’re craving a fruity homemade treat.

Bake a batch, drizzle on the glaze, and enjoy a dessert that’s sure to earn rave reviews every time.

If you make this recipe, leave a review and share your photos on Pinterest so others can enjoy these delicious homemade cherry pie bars too!

You May Also Enjoy

  • Strawberry Pretzel Salad
  • Apple Pie Tacos
  • Blackberry Cobbler
  • No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake
  • No-Bake Million Dollar Strawberry Cake 🍒🍰

Tips for Success

Don’t Overmix the Batter

Mix just until combined for a tender texture.

Cool Before Glazing

The glaze sets better on completely cooled bars.

Use Good-Quality Pie Filling

A flavorful filling makes all the difference.

Chill for Cleaner Slices

Refrigerate for 30 minutes before cutting if you want extra-neat bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade cherry pie filling?

Absolutely! Homemade filling makes these bars even more delicious.

Can I use frozen cherries?

Yes. Cook them with sugar and cornstarch first to create a pie filling consistency.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! They’re even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld.

Why add almond extract?

Almond and cherry are a classic flavor combination that enhances the fruit beautifully.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes. Bake in two 9×13-inch pans or one large sheet pan for a crowd.

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