Christmas Cherry Bars

Christmas Cherry Bars – Festive and Fruity Holiday Treat
These Christmas Cherry Bars are soft, buttery, and full of bright cherry flavor—perfect for holiday cookie trays, gift boxes, or a cozy dessert with coffee. With their festive red color, they bring holiday cheer to every bite!

Ingredients:

For the crust:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the cherry layer:
1 (21 oz / ~600 g) can cherry pie filling

Optional: You can use homemade cherry filling or maraschino cherries if preferred.

For the glaze (optional but beautiful):
1 cup powdered sugar

1–2 tablespoons milk

1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the crust and base:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.

Mix in the vanilla and almond extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.

2. Assemble:
Spread about 2/3 of the dough into the prepared pan.

Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough.

Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the cherry filling (it won’t cover it all, and that’s okay—it creates a lovely pattern when baked).

3. Bake:
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the dough comes out clean.

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.

4. Optional glaze:
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and extract until smooth.

Drizzle over cooled bars.

Let the glaze set before cutting into squares or rectangles.

Storage Tips:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

Freeze (unglazed) for up to 2 months.

Tips for Perfect Bars:
Use almond extract for a truly festive, cherry-almond flavor.

Let bars cool fully before glazing or slicing to avoid a gooey mess.

Add white chocolate chips or coconut to the dough for a twist.