Cherry Pie Crumble Bars

To create the perfect Cherry Delight Crumble Bars, it’s essential to understand the role each ingredient plays in the recipe. The harmony of flavors and textures is what makes these bars truly special, so let’s dive into the key components.

Discover the perfect dessert for any occasion with Cherry Delight Crumble Bars! Bursting with sweet cherries and topped with a buttery crumble, these bars offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures. Whether for a picnic, family gathering, or cozy night in, this easy recipe guides you through creating these scrumptious treats. Impress your friends and family with a dessert that’s not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. Enjoy every bite!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cherry Filling:

2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

For the Crumble Base and Topping:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

For Serving:

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Cherry Filling:

- In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted and halved cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and almond extract if desired. Stir until fully combined.

- Heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, allowing the cherries to release their juices and the filling to thicken. Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

Make the Crumble Base:

- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.

- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, packed brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until well blended.

- Pour the melted and slightly cooled butter and vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring that all dry ingredients are well incorporated. Set aside 1 cup of this crumble mixture as topping.

Assemble the Bars:

- Evenly press the remaining crumble mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a solid base.

- Carefully pour the cherry filling over the crumble base, spreading it out evenly to cover the entire layer.

- Sprinkle the reserved crumble topping over the cherry filling, ensuring it covers the cherries completely for a crunchy topping.

Bake:

- Place the assembled bars in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The top should turn a beautiful golden brown, and the cherry filling will be bubbling around the edges.

- After baking, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for approximately 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve:

- Once completely cool, cut into squares to serve. These Cherry Delight Crumble Bars can be enjoyed on their own or enhanced with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 20 minutes | 1 hour | 12 bars