Cherry Bars Recipe
These Cherry Bars are a sweet, fruity dessert that combines a buttery cake-like base with a luscious cherry filling, all topped with a delicate glaze. Simple to make and incredibly delicious, these bars are perfect for a summer treat, a picnic, or a quick dessert to impress guests. Whether you’re a fan of cherries or just love fruity desserts, this recipe is a must-try!
Necessary Kitchen Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Spoon or spatula
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, and softened butter. Use a hand mixer or whisk to blend everything together until smooth and creamy. The batter will be thick.
3. Assemble the Cherry Bars:
Spread about 2/3 of the batter into the prepared baking dish, pressing it into an even layer. The batter will be sticky, so you can lightly grease your hands to help spread it.
4. Add the Cherry Filling:
Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter layer, spreading it out gently to cover the surface.
5. Top with Remaining Batter:
Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry filling, then gently spread it out with a spatula to cover the cherries as much as possible. It doesn’t need to be perfect – some cherry filling can peek through!
6. Bake the Bars:
Bake the cherry bars in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Prepare the Glaze:
While the bars are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
8. Finish the Bars:
Once the bars have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top of the bars. Let the glaze set before cutting into squares.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
Slice into squares and serve! These cherry bars are perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as a sweet treat on their own.
Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Cherries: For a fresh twist, you can make your own cherry filling by cooking down fresh or frozen cherries with sugar and cornstarch.
- Make it Lighter: Use a light or sugar-free cake mix and reduce the amount of butter for a lower-calorie option.
- Add Almond Extract: For a nutty flavor, swap the vanilla extract with almond extract in both the bars and glaze.
What to Serve with Cherry Bars
- Vanilla Ice Cream: The sweetness of the bars pairs perfectly with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream.
- Whipped Cream: Top the bars with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.
- Coffee or Tea: Serve with a warm cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make these Cherry Bars ahead of time? Yes, these bars can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
2. How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
3. Can I freeze these Cherry Bars? Yes, you can freeze the bars after they’ve cooled completely. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Enjoy these delicious Cherry Bars as a sweet and easy dessert for any occasion!
Cherry Bars
Equipment
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- For the Bars:
- 1 box 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 21-ounce can cherry pie filling
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, and softened butter. Use a hand mixer or whisk to blend everything together until smooth and creamy. The batter will be thick.
- Assemble the Cherry Bars:
- Spread about 2/3 of the batter into the prepared baking dish, pressing it into an even layer. The batter will be sticky, so you can lightly grease your hands to help spread it.
- Add the Cherry Filling:
- Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the batter layer, spreading it out gently to cover the surface.
- Top with Remaining Batter:
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry filling, then gently spread it out with a spatula to cover the cherries as much as possible. It doesn’t need to be perfect – some cherry filling can peek through!
- Bake the Bars:
- Bake the cherry bars in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Glaze:
- While the bars are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Finish the Bars:
- Once the bars have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze over the top of the bars. Let the glaze set before cutting into squares.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Slice into squares and serve! These cherry bars are perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as a sweet treat on their own.
