Description
These festive Christmas Cherry Bars blend sweet nostalgia with holiday cheer, promising delightful moments of pure indulgence. Buttery shortbread crust topped with tart cherry filling creates a simple yet irresistible dessert you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 can (21 ounces / 595 grams) cherry pie filling
- 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
Optional Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a light grease layer to ensure effortless removal.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, transform butter and sugar into a pillowy, aerated mixture by vigorously creaming together. Integrate eggs individually, whisking thoroughly after each addition, then incorporate vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Simultaneously, combine flour and salt in a separate receptacle, meticulously blending dry ingredients before gradually folding into the butter mixture, ensuring smooth and consistent integration.
- Distribute approximately three-quarters of the batter across the pan’s bottom, creating an even, uniform foundation. Artfully cascade cherry pie filling over the initial layer, then delicately disperse remaining batter in small, irregular clusters atop the crimson fruit surface.
- Transfer the pan to the preheated oven, allowing the dessert to transform for 35-40 minutes. Monitor the surface, seeking a golden-brown hue and confirming doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center, which should emerge pristine.
- Extract the pan and position on a cooling rack, permitting the bars to reach ambient temperature completely before embellishing.
- Craft a silky glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency. Elegantly drizzle the luminous mixture across the cooled bars.
- Allow the glaze to solidify, then slice into individual servings, revealing the festive layers within.
Notes
- Perfectly prepare your pan by greasing it thoroughly to ensure easy bar removal and clean slicing.
- Creaming butter and sugar creates a light, fluffy base that guarantees tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Layer cherry pie filling strategically between batches of dough for a delightful fruity surprise in every bite.
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge clean, indicating perfectly baked bars.
- Allow bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent runny, messy topping and ensure a professional finish.
- Drizzle glaze in artistic patterns for a festive, bakery-style presentation that makes these bars look as good as they taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg