These Christmas Cherry Bars are the perfect festive dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. With a buttery shortbread crust, a sweet cherry filling, and a crumbly topping, these bars are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.

I remember the first time I made these bars for our family Christmas party. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of cherries and buttery goodness, and everyone couldn’t wait to get a taste. My kids helped sprinkle the crumb topping, and their eyes lit up when they saw the vibrant red cherries. These bars have since become a holiday tradition, bringing smiles and sweet memories every year.

You won’t believe how easy it is to make these cherry bars. They’re the perfect combination of buttery, sweet, and tart, making them a festive favorite that everyone will love.

Christmas Cherry Bars: A Todd Wilbur-Inspired Summary

Festive, sweet, and irresistibly delicious, these Christmas Cherry Bars are a holiday must-have. With a buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and crumbly topping, they’re the perfect treat for any holiday celebration.

A Family Favorite: An Exciting Story

One snowy December, I decided to bake something special for our annual Christmas party. With a pantry full of holiday ingredients, I came up with these Christmas Cherry Bars. As I mixed and baked, the house filled with the delightful smell of cherries and butter. When I finally served them, they disappeared within minutes. My family couldn’t get enough, and now these bars are a staple of our holiday season, bringing joy and a taste of Christmas to our celebrations.

Why These Christmas Cherry Bars?

Festive Appearance: The vibrant red cherries make these bars a holiday delight.

Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and easy steps.

Delicious Flavor: A perfect balance of buttery, sweet, and tart.

Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by both kids and adults.

Versatile: Great for holiday parties, gifts, or a special treat.

How to Make Christmas Cherry Bars

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Crust and Topping:
   • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and add the vanilla extract.
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until combined.
3. Assemble the Bars:
   • Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust.
   • Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry filling to create a crumbly topping.
4. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly.
5. Cool and Serve:
   • Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!

Tips For Christmas Cherry Bars

• Extra Flavor: Add a dash of almond extract to the cherry filling for an extra flavor boost.
• Mix-Ins: Sprinkle some sliced almonds or shredded coconut on top for added texture.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Substitutions and Variations

• Different Fruits: Use blueberry or apple pie filling instead of cherry.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute with gluten-free flour blend.
• Sugar-Free: Use a sugar-free cherry pie filling for a lower sugar option.

Make a Healthier Version

• Low-Fat: Use a reduced-fat butter or margarine.
• Lower Sugar: Use a sugar substitute in place of granulated sugar.

And there you have it! Don’t forget to let us know how your Christmas Cherry Bars turn out, and consider checking out some of our other recipes:

Frequently Asked Questions For Christmas Cherry Bars

1. Can I make these bars ahead of time? Yes, you can make them a day or two in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
2. Can I use fresh cherries? Yes, you can use fresh cherries. Cook them down with some sugar and cornstarch to make a thick filling.
3. How do I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
4. Can I freeze these bars? Yes, freeze the bars in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
5. What can I use instead of cherry pie filling? You can use any fruit pie filling, such as blueberry, apple, or raspberry.
6. How can I make the bars less sweet? Reduce the amount of sugar in the crust and topping by a quarter.
7. Can I add nuts to the topping? Yes, chopped pecans or almonds would add a nice crunch.
8. What if I don’t have a 9×13-inch pan? You can use a different sized pan, but adjust the baking time accordingly.
9. Can I use margarine instead of butter? Yes, but the flavor and texture may be slightly different.
10. How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy? Make sure to bake the bars until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly to prevent a soggy crust.

Christmas Cherry Bars

Recipe by CutsfoodCourse: All Recipes, Cake, Christmas, Dessert, Weight watchers

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

• Crust and Topping

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• Cherry Filling

• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

Directions

• Preheat the Oven:
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
• Prepare the Crust and Topping:
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and add the vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until combined.
• Assemble the Bars:
• Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust.
• Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry filling to create a crumbly topping.
• Bake:
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly.
• Cool and Serve:
• Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!