Christmas Cherry Bars

These Christmas Cherry Bars are a delightful holiday dessert, featuring layers of buttery batter and sweet cherry filling, topped with a beautiful glaze. Perfect for festive gatherings, these bars combine a classic cherry pie flavor with a bar cookie texture, making them a seasonal favorite everyone will love!

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cherry Bars:

Festive Appearance: The vibrant red cherry filling and optional glaze make these bars a perfect addition to holiday gatherings.
Easy to Make: With basic ingredients and straightforward steps, these bars come together with minimal fuss.
Flavorful Layers: The buttery crust, juicy cherry filling, and sweet glaze create a rich flavor combination that’s hard to resist.
Great for Sharing: This 9×13 inch batch yields plenty of bars, making it perfect for serving a crowd.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can bake these bars in advance and add the glaze just before serving, saving time during holiday preparations.

Key Ingredients:

1. Butter

Softened Butter: Ensure the butter is softened at room temperature before creaming. This helps achieve a light, fluffy texture in the batter.
Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the salt level. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt to about ½ teaspoon.

2. Sugar

Granulated Sugar: Regular granulated sugar provides the right level of sweetness and structure. Avoid using powdered sugar in the batter, as it can affect texture.
Optional Topping: For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a bit of coarse sugar over the glaze for sparkle and texture.

3. Eggs

Room Temperature: Room-temperature eggs mix more easily into the batter, creating a smooth and cohesive dough.
Adding One at a Time: Incorporating eggs one by one ensures the batter stays light and doesn’t become too dense.

4. All-Purpose Flour

Measured Correctly: Use the spoon-and-level method for measuring flour to avoid adding too much, which can make the bars dense.
Alternative Flours: For a lighter texture, you can substitute ½ cup of all-purpose flour with cake flour.

5. Cherry Pie Filling

Choose High-Quality Filling: The cherry pie filling is the star here, so opt for a good-quality brand with whole cherries and minimal added sugar.
Homemade Option: If you have time, you can make homemade cherry pie filling with fresh or frozen cherries for a more natural flavor.

6. Optional Glaze

Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar dissolves easily, creating a smooth glaze. Be sure to sift it if there are any lumps.
Milk: Adjust the milk quantity slightly to reach the desired consistency; it should be pourable but not too thin.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the glaze’s flavor and complements the cherry filling beautifully.

Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure the bars bake evenly.
Prepare Baking Pan: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking and allow for easy removal after baking.

Step 2: Make the Batter

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Then, blend in the vanilla extract for flavor.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

Mix Flour and Salt: In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt, mixing until the salt is evenly distributed.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture, stirring until fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars light.

Step 4: Assemble the Layers

First Layer: Spread three cups of the batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan.
Add Cherry Filling: Spread the cherry pie filling over the batter layer, distributing it evenly.
Top with Remaining Batter: Drop small clumps of the remaining batter over the cherry filling, creating a textured top layer.

Step 5: Baking

Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Step 6: Cooling

Cool the Bars: Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before adding the glaze.

Step 7: Adding the Glaze (Optional)

Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. The glaze should be pourable but not too thin.
Drizzle: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars, creating a decorative pattern if desired.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Set the Glaze: Allow the glaze to set before cutting to prevent it from dripping off.
Cut and Serve: Slice the dessert into bars and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions:

These Christmas Cherry Bars are delicious on their own, but you can add extra holiday cheer with these serving ideas:

Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: The creamy vanilla pairs wonderfully with the tart cherry filling and buttery base.
Sprinkle with Festive Toppings: Dust a little powdered sugar over the top or add festive sprinkles for a holiday touch.
Hot Beverage Pairing: Enjoy with a warm cup of spiced cider, hot cocoa, or coffee for a cozy holiday treat.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips:

These bars are great for making ahead, especially during the busy holiday season.

Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Freezing: These bars freeze well! Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Make-Ahead: Prepare the bars a day in advance and add the glaze just before serving to keep them fresh.

Variations to Try:

Add some holiday flair to these Christmas Cherry Bars with these fun variations:

Mixed Berry Bars: Substitute the cherry pie filling with blueberry, raspberry, or a mixed berry pie filling for a different flavor.
Coconut Cherry Bars: Add ½ cup of shredded coconut to the batter for a hint of tropical flavor.
Chocolate Cherry Bars: Drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled bars instead of the vanilla glaze, or add chocolate chips to the batter for an indulgent twist.
Nutty Cherry Bars: Stir in chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts for added crunch and flavor.

Conclusion:

These Christmas Cherry Bars are a delightful treat that brings a festive burst of flavor and color to any holiday celebration. Easy to make and loaded with seasonal charm, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy baking, sharing, and indulging in these buttery, cherry-filled bars with loved ones this holiday season!

Christmas Cherry Bars

A festive holiday treat with buttery layers and sweet cherry filling, perfect for Christmas gatherings! These bars are easy to make and can be topped with a simple vanilla glaze for extra sweetness.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert, Holiday Treats
Cuisine American, Christmas
Servings 24 bars
Calories 210 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 can cherry pie filling 21 ounces
  • 1 cup powdered sugar for optional glaze
  • 2 tbsp milk for optional glaze
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for optional glaze

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then blend in the vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the flour and salt, then gradually add to the butter mixture until fully incorporated.
  • Spread 3 cups of the batter evenly across the bottom of the pan, then layer the cherry pie filling on top. Drop small clumps of the remaining batter over the cherry layer.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
  • Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before adding the glaze.
  • Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to form a glaze. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
  • Let the glaze set, then slice into bars and enjoy!

Notes

Try adding a sprinkle of almond extract to the batter for an extra touch of holiday flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal
Keyword baked goods, Cherry Bars, Christmas Treat, holiday dessert
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