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There’s something truly magical about summer and cherries, isn’t there? I’m beyond grateful to share this delightful Cherry Pie Bars recipe with you. These bars bring together a scrumptious blend of tart cherries and a buttery crust that will make your taste buds sing. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or just indulging in a sweet treat for yourself, these cherry pie bars are sure to impress!
Ingredients
Crust & Topping
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp cold salted vegan butter, cubed
- 7-8 tbsp ice water
Cherry Filling
- 3 cups pitted, halved cherries
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp filtered water
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Unsweetened soy milk
- Turbinado sugar
How to Make Cherry Pie Bars
1: Prepare the Crust & Topping
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar.
- Add the cold vegan butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Divide the dough in half. Press one half evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Reserve the other half for the topping.
2: Make the Cherry Filling
- In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted, halved cherries, maple syrup, and filtered water.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cherries release their juices and the mixture begins to simmer.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a bit of cold water to form a slurry. Add this to the cherry mixture along with the vanilla extract.
- Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the filling thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3: Assemble the Bars
- Pour the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
- Crumble the reserved dough over the cherry filling to create a topping.
- If desired, brush the top with unsweetened soy milk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar for added texture and sweetness.
4: Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares.
Helpful Tips
- Butter: Make sure your vegan butter is very cold for the best crumbly texture in the crust and topping.
- Cherries: Fresh, pitted cherries work best, but you can also use frozen cherries. Just make sure to thaw and drain them well.
Substitutions/Variations
- Flour: Feel free to use only all-purpose flour if you don’t have whole-wheat flour on hand.
- Sweeteners: Swap out maple syrup for honey or agave nectar if you prefer.
- Butter: Regular butter can be used if you’re not vegan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other fruits instead of cherries?
Absolutely! Blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of berries would also work wonderfully in this recipe.
How do I know when the bars are done?
The topping should be golden brown, and the cherry filling should be bubbly. A little patience is key to achieving the perfect texture!
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the flours with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Storage Instructions
Store your cherry pie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze the bars for up to 3 months—just thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.
More Relevant Recipes
- Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars: A delightful blend of snickerdoodle cookies and creamy cheesecake.
- Monster Cookie No-Bake Bars: Packed with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and M&Ms, these no-bake bars are a family favorite.
- Gooey M&M Cookie Bars: Chewy, gooey cookie bars loaded with colorful M&Ms for an extra burst of fun.
Thank you for joining me on this cherry-filled adventure! I hope these cherry pie bars bring as much joy to your kitchen as they do to mine. Happy baking!
PrintCherry Pie Bars
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
There’s something truly magical about summer and cherries, isn’t there? These Cherry Pie Bars bring together a scrumptious blend of tart cherries and a buttery crust that will make your taste buds sing. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or just indulging in a sweet treat for yourself, these cherry pie bars are sure to impress!
Ingredients
Crust & Topping
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp cold salted vegan butter, cubed
- 7–8 tbsp ice water
Cherry Filling
- 3 cups pitted, halved cherries
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp filtered water
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Unsweetened soy milk
- Turbinado sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Crust & Topping
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and granulated sugar.
- Add the cold vegan butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
- Divide the dough in half. Press one half evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Reserve the other half for the topping.
Step 2: Make the Cherry Filling
- In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted, halved cherries, maple syrup, and filtered water.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cherries release their juices and the mixture begins to simmer.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a bit of cold water to form a slurry. Add this to the cherry mixture along with the vanilla extract.
- Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the filling thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 3: Assemble the Bars
- Pour the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
- Crumble the reserved dough over the cherry filling to create a topping.
- If desired, brush the top with unsweetened soy milk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar for added texture and sweetness.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let the bars cool completely in the baking dish before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Butter: Make sure your vegan butter is very cold for the best crumbly texture in the crust and topping.
- Cherries: Fresh, pitted cherries work best, but you can also use frozen cherries. Just make sure to thaw and drain them well.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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