Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Heat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get the bars ready to bake.
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan to avoid sticking and a problem with removing after baking.
Step 2: Make the Batter
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, whisking well after adding each one. Then, add vanilla extract for flavor.
Step 3: Combine the dry ingredients
Mix and Add Flour and Salt: In a different bowl, mix the flour and the salt.
Mix on Low: With the mixer still running, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth. Don’t overmix to keep the bars light.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
First layer: Using an offset spatula, spread three cups of the batter evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan.
Spread Cherry Filling: Spoon and spread cherry pie filling over the top of the batter layer.
Drop More of the Batter Using a Spoon: Use a spoon to add more of the batter on top of or over the cherry filling, so it forms a textured top layer.
Step 5: Baking
Bake: Put the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden on the top. A toothpick stuck in the middle of it should come out clean.
Step 6: Cooling
Cool the Bars: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before glazing.
Step 7: The Glaze
Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract until smooth. It should have the consistency of pourable glaze, just not watery.
Drizzle: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars, in a decorative pattern if you’d like.
Step 8: Finish and Serve
Set the Glaze: Wait for the glaze to set before cutting so it doesn’t drip everywhere.
Cut Up the Fun: Cut the dessert into bars and have at it!
Serving Suggestions:
These are a perfect Christmas Cherry Bar in that they are sweet and buttery and full of holiday flavor all on their own. But if you are looking to provide a bit of extra holiday magic, there are a few cozy serving ideas that can elevate them.
What’s one of our favorite ways to eat them? Slightly heat a bar and top it with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The cold ice cream melts just enough over the warm, soft bar to form a dreamy contrast — emphasizing the tart cherry filling and the rich, buttery crust. It’s a humble upgrade that seems luxurious, great for a cold night by the fire. It’s a tried-and-true pairing that works every time.
Add a Little Holiday Sparkle: You can always do a light dusting of powdered sugar, like they’re getting a little snowfall on top, or you can go all in with colorful holiday sprinkles to make them look as celebratory as they taste.
Festive Drink Pairings: These bars are perfect for cozying up, and best served with a mug of warm spiced cider, rich hot chocolate or your favorite holiday coffee blend. It’s the sort of treat that makes a cozy afternoon or evening fireside feel a little extra special.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips:
These bars are great to make ahead, which is especially useful at this time of year, when the holidays can be so hectic.
Storage: Store the bars, covered in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Freezing: This bars freeze great! Put them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers, and freeze for up to three months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before serving.
Make-Ahead: Make the bars a day ahead and glaze them just before serving so they don’t get soggy.
Variations to Try:
These Christmas Cherry Bars have a holiday twist with these twist:
Mixed Berry Bars: Substitute the cherry pie filling with blueberry, raspberry or mixed berry pie filling.
Coconut Cherry Bars: Add ½ cup of shredded coconut to the batter for a tropical touch.
Chocolate Cherry Bars Yield: 24 barsTip: For a variation, after the bars cool, melt more chocolate and drizzle over the top instead of the vanilla glaze, or stir 1 cup chocolate chips into the batter.
Nutty Cherry Bars: Mix in chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts for a little crunch, and flavor.
Conclusion:
So festive and flavorful this Christmas Cherry Bars. Simple to make and full of seasonal appeal, they should become a family favorite. Wishing you a joyous holiday season baking, sharing and devouring these buttery cherry-filled delights with your family and friends!
