Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in delicious homemade treats that capture the spirit of the season. These Festive Christmas Cherry Bars are a delightful way to bring some holiday cheer to your dessert table. With a buttery base and a luscious cherry pie filling, these bars are easy to make and are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Top them with a simple vanilla glaze for an extra touch of sweetness. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just for fun, these cherry bars will become a holiday favorite.
Ingredients:
For the Bars:
- 1 cup of butter, softened
- 2 cups of sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined.
- Assemble the bars:
- Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the greased baking pan. Pour the cherry pie filling over the batter, spreading it out evenly. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry filling, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible, but leaving some gaps for the cherries to peek through.
- Bake the bars:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare the glaze (optional):
- While the bars are cooling, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars for an added touch of sweetness.
- Serve:
- Once the bars are fully cooled and the glaze has set (if using), slice into squares or bars and serve. Enjoy!
Conclusion:
These Festive Christmas Cherry Bars combine a buttery, tender crust with the sweet and tangy taste of cherry pie filling, creating the perfect holiday dessert. They are easy to prepare and make a wonderful addition to your Christmas cookie platter or as a stand-alone treat for holiday gatherings. The optional vanilla glaze adds an extra layer of indulgence that makes these bars truly special. Serve them to friends and family and spread the holiday cheer with every bite!
Festive Christmas Cherry Bars: A Sweet Holiday Treat
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 cup of butter softened
- 2 cups of sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 can 21 ounces cherry pie filling
For the Glaze Optional:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Prepare the batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined.
Assemble the bars:
- Spread two-thirds of the batter evenly into the greased baking pan.
- Pour the cherry pie filling over the batter, spreading it out evenly.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry filling, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible, but leaving some gaps for the cherries to peek through.
Bake the bars:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the glaze (optional):
- While the bars are cooling, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars for an added touch of sweetness.
Serve:
- Once the bars are fully cooled and the glaze has set (if using), slice into squares or bars and serve. Enjoy!