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These Cherry Bars are incredibly easy to make and absolutely scrumptious. They're sure to be a hit with all your friends and family.

These cherry bars are so easy to make. Layers of batter, cherry pie filling and lots of icing drizzled over top.

I think by now my readers have probably learned a couple of things about me. One is I love cherry pie filling more than any normal person should. Not even kidding, it's a serious obsession.

The second thing is I have horrible timing. I wanted to post these weeks ago, but life just got in the way a little bit. I'm a bit of a procrastinator.

Never intentionally. My life, just like most of you reading this, is quite hectic.

I made these bars after seeing them on Pinterest. There are so many versions of them out there. For the purpose of this post, I used Taste of Home's version, but tweaked it just a wee bit. I also really love Deliciously Sprinkled's version.

There are tons of versions of Cherry Bars, or Cherry Kuchen Bars, out there. Many bloggers have their own versions of them. They are incredibly popular because they taste so flipping amazing.

So, whether you want to call them Cherry Bars, Cherry Pie Bars or Cherry Kuchen Bars, they will rock your world when you make them. The dough is perfectly soft, the sweet cherry pie filling with the glaze over top is perfection.

Ingredient Notes:

Butter - Honestly, you can use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe. However, it does need to be softened butter.
Sugar - I used granulated sugar and confectioners' sugar for this recipe. Confectioners' sugar is icing sugar, just to clarify.
Salt - Normally, I would say you can omit salt in some recipes but in this one I find it enhances the sweetness of the bars. That said, if you are watching your sodium intake for health reasons, you can omit it.
Eggs - For this recipe, I used large eggs.
Extract - Not all extracts are equal. I actually used almond extract for these bars. Almond extract works beautifully with cherry recipes.
Flour - I used all purpose flour. You don't need to sift it for this particular recipe.
Cinnamon - Not only does cinnamon smell amazing but it really adds flavour and warmth to recipes, in my opinion. Don't skimp on the cinnamon.
Nutmeg - While I love cinnamon like no other, I also really love nutmeg in a lot of baking. The flavour adds a nice touch to cherry desserts, especially when combined with cinnamon.
Pie filling - For these bars, I used cherry pie filling. You could easily swap out other flavours of pie filling if you like.
Milk - I used 2 % milk for this recipe. You could also use water if you don't have milk on hand.

How to Make Cherry Bars:

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Then, spray a pan with non-stick spray.
Next, in a large bowl combine the butter, granulated sugar and salt. Cream them together till light and fluffy.
Now add the eggs, one at a time. Mix well after adding each egg.
Then, add the almond extract and mix briefly.
Next, gradually add the flour.
Add the cinnamon and nutmeg next and mix briefly by hand.
After that, pour about 3 cups of the batter into a prepared pan and smooth out.
Next, take spoonfuls of the pie filling and drop them randomly over the batter.
Then, drop the remaining batter randomly over the pie filling.
Bake in a preheated oven for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Remove the bars from the oven and allow to cool in the pan.
Next, in a small bowl combine confectioners' sugar, extract and milk. Whisk until smooth.
Pour the icing over the bars randomly.
Slice and serve!

Variations:

Blueberry - Use blueberry pie filling instead of cherry.
Peach - You can make your own peach pie filling or buy canned peach pie filling.
Apple - Honestly, apple pie filling is pretty easy to make but feel free to use pre-made if you like.
Lemon - Personally, I've been dying to try these with lemon curd.
Rhubarb - These would be amazing with rhubarb or a rhubarb-strawberry combination.
Strawberry - To be honest, strawberry pie filling is another one you can make easily on your own. If you're not inclined to make it buy canned.
Blackberry - Use fresh blackberries to make a fun homemade version of this recipe.
Mixed Berry - I buy mixed berries in the frozen food aisle often. These bars would be amazing with a mixed berry base.

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Cherry Bars aka Cherry Kuchen on a white plate

Print Pin

4.50 from 6 votes

Cherry Bars

These Cherry Bars are incredibly easy to make and absolutely scrumptious. They're sure to be a hit with all your friends and family.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword cherry bars, cherry kuchen

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 380kcal

Author Kim Beaulieu

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Bars:

1 cup butter softened
2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
4 large eggs
1 tsp almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
¾ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
21 oz cherry pie filling

For the Glaze:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp almond extract
2 tbsp milk

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a pan with non-stick spray. You can use a 15 x 10 inch pan (sheet pan) or a 9 x 13 casserole dish. You just won’t get the straight edges with the pan I used. Things like that don’t rattle this girl.
In a large bowl combine the butter, sugar, and salt. Cream them together until light and fluffy. I used my stand mixer with my paddle attachment.
Now add the eggs, one at a time, mixing really well after each addition.
Add the extract, mix again.
Now gradually add the flour, mix on low while adding until it’s all combined. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg, mix briefly by hand.
Pour about 3 cups of the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth it out.
Now take spoonfuls of the cherry pie filling and drop them randomly over the batter. Smooth as best you can.
Now take the remaining batter and drop spoonfuls of it randomly over the pie filling portion.
Bake in preheated oven for about 30 to 35 minutes, you want the top golden brown.
Remove the dish from the oven and allow to cool completely.
In in a small bowl mix the confectioners’ sugar, extract and milk. Start with 2 tablespoons of milk, then adjust by adding more until you get the desired consistency for your glaze. Now drizzle the glaze over the bars. You can do it neatly, or messy. Matters little in the grand scheme of things.
Serve with a big old cherry loving smile.

Video

Notes

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home

Originally posted on February 15, 2015.

Nutrition

Thanks for visiting today!

If you’re looking for more dessert recipes be sure to check out my recipe index. You can also find a lot more snack recipes as well.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you’re here. I love pinning great recipes! Also, make sure you follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date with the blog.

Toodles! xx

Comments

Anna (Hidden Ponies)

February 15, 2015 at 10:31 pm

My hubby has a similar fondness for cherry pie filling...I can't say I share that, but these bars definitely look like something we could both enjoy, I'll have to pick up a can asap 🙂

- Kim Beaulieu
  
  February 17, 2015 at 10:26 pm
  
  It's a weird addiction Anna, I can't even explain it. I see a can of cherry pie filling and I get instantly giddy. I'm helpless to resist.
  
Afraa

February 16, 2015 at 10:27 am

Hello, I think you forgot to mention how many eggs are needed. Thanks 🙂

- Kim Beaulieu
  
  February 17, 2015 at 10:22 pm
  
  Checking now. I'll correct it momentarily if it's wrong. It happens occasionally. I'll double back once I look at my notes. Thanks for letting me know. Always appreciated.
  
- Kim Beaulieu
  
  February 17, 2015 at 10:36 pm
  
  Thanks so much for catching that. Much appreciated. The downside to not having an editor on the pay roll. Never hesitate to let me know if you see errors. While I try never to make them, it happens on occasion.
  
movita beaucoup

February 18, 2015 at 5:57 am

Wait. You made something from Pinterest? I feel like I should try that sometime...

Alex

February 18, 2015 at 4:23 pm

I'm SO in love with your pictures... 🙂

Liz

February 21, 2015 at 1:21 pm

You and your cherries 🙂 Another winner!!!
P.S. Thanks so much for your friendship during this rough time. Your notes brought me the comfort I needed. xx

Lisa @ Low Carb Yum

February 23, 2015 at 5:53 am

These look so delicious! I can't believe how easy they are to make.

Rachel Cooks

February 23, 2015 at 7:18 am

I wish these were my breakfast today!

Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt

February 23, 2015 at 11:11 am

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a cherry pie filling obsession. I'm quite okay with it. These bars look amazing! The bright red filling really makes these bars pop. I love it! It is so hard to hold off on nibbling on the food before you get a shot. I have to be super sneaky and hide my goodies on my husband. He's quite persistent on trying things immediately.

Ashley (QLCC)

February 23, 2015 at 12:01 pm

I need to utilize cherry more. I typically opt for peach or apple, but it's time for me to give cherries a chance, I think!

Jenny (VintageSugarcube)

February 23, 2015 at 12:08 pm

I could not be trusted with the entire pan. I must make that the next time I'm feeding a gang of friends. That first picture is beyond luscious. Drizzle me crazy with that frosting.

Nibbles By Nic

February 23, 2015 at 1:22 pm

Hi Kim!! Long time no see ( we met at IFBC) I LOVE LOVE LOVE these nibbles. Yes, cherry pie filling is quite the best thing ever!!! Thanks for posting this delicious recipe and hope all is well 🙂 xo Nic

Stephanie @ Back for Seconds

February 23, 2015 at 2:57 pm

You know, cherry isn't even my favorite flavor BUT I want this whole pan! Like, seriously. The WHOLE pan! Looks awesome!

Sandra | Sandra's Easy Cooking

February 26, 2015 at 11:29 am

Drool!!!!! Wow! I need to check more of your posts... I've been in my cocoon too long!

Nancy @ gottagetbaked

March 03, 2015 at 7:03 pm

Whoa Kim, these cherry bars look so pretty and elegant! I love cherry pie filling too but I haven't eaten it in years. This post is totally making me crave it (spooning out of a can sounds good right about now).

Jennie @themessybakerblog

March 11, 2015 at 7:40 am

I am the world's worst procrastinator. Wow, these bars look absolutely amazing. They're dripping goodness. Pinned.

Maureen

March 30, 2015 at 2:55 am

These cherry bars are just dripping goodness in every angle. I'm sure it also tastes amazing! Cherry filling is really good. I can't wait to try to make one.

Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)

October 03, 2017 at 5:18 pm

These bars have me craving cherries and I'm allergic!!!

- Kim Beaulieu
  
  October 12, 2017 at 3:37 am
  
  Thanks so much Jocelyn. I would cry if I was allergic to cherries.
  
Carolyn Ingram

October 05, 2017 at 11:23 pm

I love cherry desserts! Yum!

- Kim Beaulieu
  
  October 12, 2017 at 3:31 am
  
  Thanks, Carolyn. Me too.
  
Liren | Kitchen Confidante

October 06, 2017 at 1:56 pm

I want to dive into this dish of cherry goodness!

- Kim Beaulieu
  
  October 12, 2017 at 3:30 am
  
  Ha, thanks, Liren. Love your comment.
  
Kae

December 25, 2019 at 3:16 pm

Made for Christmas 2019 à real hit, I love cherries too!!!! Will definitely use again!!!

- Kim Beaulieu
  
  December 29, 2019 at 3:34 pm
  
  Thanks so much.

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