CHERRY BARS RECIPE

These delicious Cherry Bars are a perfect blend of sweet, tart, and buttery goodness. With a crisp oat crust, a luscious cherry filling, and a crumbly topping, they make an irresistible dessert or snack. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, these bars are great for parties, potlucks, or just a sweet treat at home.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 35 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

• Difficulty: Easy

• Servings: 12 bars

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Ingredients

For the Crust & Topping:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cherry Filling:

• 2 cups cherries (fresh, frozen, or canned)

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Step 2: Make the Crust & Topping

1. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

2. Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture for the topping.

4. Press the remaining mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Step 3: Prepare the Cherry Filling

1. If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them.

2. In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch.

3. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring until thickened.

4. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract (if using).

Step 4: Assemble & Bake

1. Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust.

2. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture on top.

3. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

4. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

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Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 280 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 45g

• Protein: 3g

• Fat: 11g (Saturated: 7g)

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 28g

• Sodium: 100mg

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Tips & Variations

• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats.

• Other Fruits: Substitute cherries with blueberries, raspberries, or apple pie filling.

• Nutty Crunch: Add chopped almonds or pecans to the topping.

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.

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Final Thoughts

These Cherry Bars are a delightful balance of textures and flavors—crispy, chewy, and bursting with fruity goodness. Perfect for any occasion, they’re sure to be a hit!