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!