Easy Cherry Bars with Buttery Shortbread Crust
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Our easy cherry bars recipe is a winner for several reasons. Firstly, it requires minimal effort and time, making it a perfect choice for busy individuals. The balance of sweet and tart flavours in these bars will tantalise your taste buds with every bite. Additionally, these bars can be customised to suit various dietary needs, such as being gluten-free and vegan.
For those looking to satisfy their sweet cravings without feeling guilty, our low carb cherry bars recipe is a great option. These bars are low in sugar and high in protein, making them a healthier alternative to traditional desserts. The use of canned cherries in this recipe ensures that you can enjoy cherry bars all year round, even when fresh cherries are out of season.
Indulge in the richness of our cherry bars with cream cheese frosting, where the creamy frosting complements the fruity filling perfectly. If you are a fan of nutty flavours, our cherry pecan bars recipe will delight your taste buds with its crunchy texture and wholesome ingredients. For a unique twist, try our cherry chocolate chip bars, where the combination of cherries and chocolate creates a decadent treat.
Whether you are following a dairy-free diet or catering to a crowd with varying dietary preferences, our dairy-free cherry bars are a versatile option that everyone can enjoy. With the keto cherry dessert bars, you can indulge in a delicious treat while staying true to your low-carb lifestyle. The buttery shortbread crust in our cherry bars with shortbread crust adds a delightful crunch to every bite.
Ingredients
For this easy cherry bars recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Fresh cherries (pitted and halved)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: Almond extract, chopped pecans, coconut flakes
Feel free to substitute ingredients based on your preferences or dietary restrictions. You can use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version of these cherry bars. To make them vegan, swap the butter for a plant-based alternative.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture for the topping and press the rest firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
- Arrange the halved cherries over the crust in the baking dish, spreading them evenly.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the cherries.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Allow the cherry bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares and serving.
Pro Tip: For a neater presentation, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before slicing.
