Should I Adjust Baking Time If Making Ahead?
The 30-35 minute bake time remains the same whether the bars are fresh or frozen. However, check a few minutes early when baking frozen bars as they may not need the full time. Allow to cool completely no matter what before glazing or devouring.
What Glaze Goes Best with the Cherry Bars?
The powdered sugar glaze flavored with almond and vanilla extracts complements the cherry bars perfectly. Feel free to sprinkle the bars with a little coarse sugar before baking for extra sparkle and crunch too. And garnish with maraschino cherries if desired!
Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the Bars:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
2-3 tbsp milk
Instructions
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease a 15x10x1-in. baking pan.
Making the Dough:
In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
Gradually add flour to the mixture.
Assembling:
Spread 3 cups of dough evenly in the prepared pan.
Layer with cherry pie filling.
Drop remaining dough in teaspoonfuls over the filling.
Baking:
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Preparing the Glaze:
In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla and almond extracts, and milk to reach desired consistency.
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.
Serving:
Cut into slices and serve.
Enjoy your homemade Cherry Pie Bars!
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