These cherry bars are everything you want in a nostalgic dessert: buttery cookie crust, vibrant cherry filling, and a sweet vanilla-almond glaze. They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser in every bite.
With their golden edges and gooey center, cherry bars are perfect for potlucks, holidays, or weekday cravings. The simple prep and classic flavors make them a go-to dessert year-round.
Star Ingredients in These Cherry Bars
- Butter – Forms the rich, tender base and top layer, giving the bars a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps the cookie crust achieve its signature golden hue.
- Eggs – Provide structure and keep the bars moist.
- All-purpose flour – Holds the dough together while creating that soft cookie bite.
- Vanilla & almond extracts – A duo that delivers warmth and depth, with almond giving these bars their bakery-style flavor.
- Cherry pie filling – The luscious, ruby-red star that brings fruity brightness and juiciness.
- Powdered sugar & milk – Whisked into a smooth glaze that ties everything together with sweetness and shine.
How to Make These Cherry Bars
Prepping these cherry bars is simple and satisfying. You’ll start by creaming the butter, sugar, and salt until fluffy, then add eggs one at a time for a smooth batter. The dry ingredients come next, along with those fragrant extracts that elevate the cookie dough.
Two-thirds of the dough forms the base layer, followed by a generous spread of cherry pie filling. The remaining dough is dolloped over the top—no need for perfection here, those golden peaks add visual charm.
Bake until golden and the edges puff slightly. Once cool, drizzle with the sweet vanilla-almond glaze. Let it set before slicing into squares and serving up smiles.
Cherry Bar Wisdom: Tips & Twists
To make spreading the dough and filling easier, use an offset spatula—especially helpful in the corners. If you want a thicker, cakier version, use a 9×13 pan and adjust the bake time accordingly.
Feeling adventurous? Swap in blueberry or apple pie filling for a seasonal twist, or sprinkle slivered almonds on top before baking for a nutty crunch. A touch of lemon zest in the glaze also brightens things up beautifully.
Sweet Ways to Store Leftovers
These cherry bars keep beautifully at room temperature for up to three days when stored in an airtight container. For longer freshness, refrigerate them for up to five days—just let them come to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
They also freeze well. Place bars in a single layer, freeze until firm, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.
Cherry Bars
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 2 cans cherry pie filling
- 1 cup butter softened
- Cooking spray
For the Glaze
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 10″ x 15″ jelly roll pan with cooking spray. In the bowl of a mixer, combine butter, sugar, and salt, and beat for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. With the mixer on low, gradually blend in the flour until just combined. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Spread two-thirds of the dough evenly across the prepared pan. Layer the cherry pie filling on top of the dough. Drop remaining dough in teaspoon-sized amounts over the cherry layer. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust the consistency with additional milk if needed. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars. Once the glaze has set, cut into squares and serve.
