Fruity Paradise: Cherry Delight Bars Recipe for Sweet Treats
Sweet summer memories flood back with these irresistible cherry delight bars that combine creamy textures and bright fruity flavors.
Layers of buttery graham cracker crust meld perfectly with silky cream cheese filling and vibrant cherry topping.
Each bite delivers a nostalgic dessert that feels like a celebration of simple pleasures.
Soft, luscious, and wonderfully tangy, these bars offer a delightful twist on classic desserts.
The combination of creamy and fruity elements creates a dessert that feels both indulgent and refreshing.
Dessert lovers will adore how quickly these bars come together with minimal effort.
Grab your ingredients and get ready to make a treat that will disappear faster than you can slice them.
How to Bake Cherry Bars Without Fuss
Oven Preparation Warm up your oven to create the perfect baking environment at a cozy 350°F. Grab a large baking pan and give it a light coating of grease to prevent sticking.
Butter Mixture Magic Blend softened butter with sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a fluffy cloud-like texture that promises deliciousness.
Egg Integration Gently fold in eggs one by one, ensuring each is fully incorporated into the creamy base, creating a smooth and rich foundation.
Flavor Infusion Splash in vanilla and almond extracts, adding a delightful aromatic touch that will make taste buds dance with excitement.
Dough Layering Spread most of the dough across the pan's bottom, creating a welcoming base for the luscious cherry topping.
Cherry Wonderland Generously pour vibrant cherry pie filling over the dough, creating a beautiful ruby-red landscape of fruity goodness.
Delicate Dollops Sprinkle remaining dough in tiny droplets across the cherry layer, creating a rustic and charming top.
Baking Transformation Slide the pan into the oven and let magic happen for 30-35 minutes until the top turns a golden, inviting shade.
Finishing Touch Whip up a quick glaze with powdered sugar and a splash of milk, drizzling it gracefully over the cooled bars for a sweet finale.
Flavor Ideas to Add to Cherry Bars
Swap traditional cherry pie filling with homemade or premium brands like Oregon or Trader Joe's for more intense, authentic flavor profiles.
Create decorative patterns by using a fork or piping bag to distribute remaining dough more artistically over cherry filling for visual appeal.
Incorporate finely chopped almonds or dark chocolate chips into the base dough for added depth and unexpected crunch.
Adjust milk quantity gradually to achieve smooth, drizzle-friendly consistency – aim for ribbon-like flow that gracefully covers bars without pooling.
Prepare bars one day ahead and store in airtight container at room temperature; glaze just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and presentation.
Serving Cherry Bars at the Table
Slice and Serve Chilled: Refrigerate the Cherry Delight Bars for an hour before serving to enhance the flavor and create a refreshing dessert experience.
Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the rich cherry and almond notes.
Elevate with Garnish: Sprinkle some sliced almonds or a light dusting of powdered sugar on top to add texture and visual appeal to the bars.
Perfect Party Platter: Cut into small squares for a delightful addition to potlucks, brunch spreads, or afternoon tea gatherings.
Best Storage for Cherry Bars
Refrigerate Smartly: Store these delightful cherry bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their fresh taste and soft texture.
Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to preserve their deliciousness for up to 3 months.
Room Temperature Tips: Keep bars at room temperature for short periods, ideally no longer than 2 hours, especially when serving at gatherings or potlucks.
Quick Reheating Trick: Warm refrigerated bars briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, tender consistency before serving.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Calories: 320 kcal
Servings: 13
Cherry Bars Ingredient
For The Base:
Butter: Creamy foundation that ensures rich, tender texture and adds luxurious flavor depth.
Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden, crisp exterior while balancing other ingredients.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness of the dessert.
Flour: Creates structure and gives the bars their delightful crumbly consistency.
For The Filling And Flavor Enhancers:
Cherry Pie Filling: Brings vibrant fruity essence and juicy, tangy brightness to the dessert.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertones that complement the cherry's tartness.
Almond Extract: Introduces a delicate, nutty background note that elevates the entire flavor experience.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to a smooth, velvety texture.
For The Finishing Touch:
Powdered Sugar: Creates silky, smooth glaze that adds elegant sweetness and visual appeal.
Milk: Helps adjust glaze consistency and softens the powdered sugar's intensity.
Tools You’ll Need for Cherry Bars
Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients.
Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creating light, fluffy butter mixture and beating eggs.
15x10x1-inch baking pan: Specific size needed for even baking of bars.
Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
Wire rack: Helps cool bars evenly after baking.
Small bowl: Used for preparing the glaze.
Teaspoon: For dropping remaining dough over cherry filling.
Spatula or wooden spoon: Helpful for spreading dough and mixing ingredients.
Indulgent cherry delight bars blend sweet cherries with a buttery graham cracker crust for a classic dessert. Creamy layers and tangy fruit create a perfect balance savored by dessert enthusiasts everywhere.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 cans (21 oz / 595 g each) cherry pie filling
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp almond extract
1 tsp salt
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
2–3 tbsps / 30-45 ml milk
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray.
Creaming: Whip butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy, creating a smooth, aerated base for the dessert.
Egg Integration: Add eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly to maintain a consistent, silky batter texture.
Flavor Infusion: Fold in vanilla and almond extracts, ensuring even distribution of aromatic elements.
Dough Formation: Gently mix flour into the wet ingredients until just combined, avoiding overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
Base Layer: Spread half the dough evenly across the prepared pan, creating a sturdy foundation for the dessert.
Fruit Layer: Distribute cherry pie filling uniformly over the initial dough, adding a vibrant and tangy element.
Topping Application: Delicately dot the remaining dough across the cherry filling, creating a rustic, textured surface.
Baking Process: Bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring until the top turns golden brown and the bars are set.
Cooling and Finishing: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until smooth.
Final Touch: Elegantly drizzle the glaze over the cooled cherry bars, enhancing both presentation and flavor.
Notes
Butter Softening Tip: Ensure butter is at room temperature for smooth, even mixing and better incorporation with other ingredients.
Egg Incorporation Technique: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly to prevent batter separation and create a silky, uniform texture.
Flour Mixing Caution: Stir flour gently until just combined to avoid tough, dense bars – overmixing develops excess gluten.
Cooling Critical Step: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan before glazing to prevent structural collapse and ensure clean, precise cutting.
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Program: Classic Culinary Arts
Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.
Michael Rivera
Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor
Expertise
Education
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.