Description
These Christmas Cherry Bars are the perfect blend of buttery, almond-scented crust and sweet-tart cherry filling, making them an irresistible holiday treat. They’re easy to make with simple ingredients and ideal for cookie swaps, dessert trays, or festive snacking. This easy recipe is a go-to for quick holiday baking, and it works wonderfully for breakfast ideas, dessert tables, or even thoughtful edible gifts. Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving a seasonal sweet, these bars are simple, nostalgic, and unforgettable.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
½ cup powdered sugar (optional, for glaze)
1 tablespoon milk (optional, for glaze)
¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for glaze)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.
4. Gradually mix in the flour until fully combined. Do not overmix.
5. Spread two-thirds of the dough into the prepared baking pan, pressing it evenly into the bottom.
6. Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough, spreading gently to avoid disturbing the base.
7. Drop the remaining dough by spoonfuls over the cherry layer. Do not spread—it will bake into a marbled top.
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and set.
9. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before slicing.
10. Optional: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract together for glaze and drizzle over cooled bars before serving.
Notes
For cleaner slices, refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes after cooling completely.
Use parchment paper with overhang to easily lift the entire slab out of the pan for slicing.
Don’t skip the almond extract—it’s key to the signature flavor of these bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Christmas dessert, holiday baking, cherry dessert, easy bars, almond cherry bars