š Festive Cherry Dessert Bars
These festive cherry dessert bars bring together a tender, buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a silky almond glazeāmaking them a perfect treat for the holiday season. Whether youāre hosting a holiday party or just craving something sweet, these bars are a guaranteed hit.
š§ Ingredients
For the Bars:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter (softened) | 1 cup |
| Granulated Sugar | 2 cups |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Large Eggs | 4 |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Almond Extract | Ā¼ teaspoon |
| All-Purpose Flour | 3 cups |
| Cherry Pie Filling | 2 cans (21 oz each) |
For the Glaze:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Powdered Sugar | 1 cup |
| Vanilla Extract | Ā½ teaspoon |
| Almond Extract | Ā½ teaspoon |
| Milk | 2ā3 tablespoons |
š½ļø Instructions
- Preheat & Prep:
Heat your oven to 350Ā°F (175Ā°C). Lightly grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. - Cream Butter & Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, and salt until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. - Add Eggs & Flavorings:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts. - Incorporate Flour:
Gradually stir in the flour until fully combined, forming a soft dough. - Build the Base:
Spread about 3 cups of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan to form the bottom layer. - Add the Cherry Layer:
Spoon the cherry pie filling over the dough base, spreading it gently and evenly. - Top with Dough:
Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining dough on top of the cherry fillingādonāt worry about covering it completely. - Bake:
Place in the oven and bake for 30ā35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. - Cool Completely:
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool fully in the pan. - Make the Glaze:
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and almond extract until the glaze is smooth and pourable. - Glaze the Bars:
Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled bars. - Cut & Serve:
Slice into bars or squares and enjoy your festive treat!
