Name: Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1–2 tablespoons milk; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

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If you’re searching for a festive, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s as easy to make as it is delightful to eat, look no further than this Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning. The buttery crust, vibrant cherry filling, and sweet almond glaze come together perfectly, making these bars impossible to resist at any holiday brunch or cozy gathering. Each bite truly tastes like Christmas morning, whether you’re serving them fresh from the oven or sneaking a square with an afternoon cup of coffee.

Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s something so reassuring about a recipe that uses pantry staples to create pure magic. Every ingredient in this Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning has a specific job, contributing richness, structure, and those pops of holiday color and flavor we all crave this time of year.

Unsalted butter, softened: Lends savory richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes the bars so irresistible.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps the bars bake up soft and tender.
Large eggs: Bind everything together for a cohesive, sliceable treat.
Vanilla extract: Adds cozy warmth, rounding out both the batter and the glaze with classic bakery-fresh flavor.
Almond extract: That little splash unlocks next-level flavor, especially in the glaze—don’t skip it!
All-purpose flour: Gives the bars their sturdy-yet-soft crumb and holds up beautifully to the juicy cherry filling.
Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness throughout.
Cherry pie filling (one 21-ounce can): The star of the show with its glossy red cherries and perfect amount of tartness.
Powdered sugar: Essential for a silky-smooth glaze that’s just the right amount of sweet.
Milk: Thins out the glaze for easy drizzling—just add a splash at a time until you reach the perfect consistency.

How to Make Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Get started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan, or line it with parchment paper for quick cleanup. This simple step ensures your cherry bars release easily and bake up evenly golden.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for achieving that signature soft and cake-like crumb—take a minute or two to really whip them together well.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This method yields a creamy, emulsified base. Then, stir in both the vanilla and almond extracts. Each adds wonderful depth to the batter—the almond especially sets this Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning apart from anything store-bought.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing until everything is just combined and no dry streaks remain. This gentle mixing keeps the bars plush instead of dense.

Step 5: Layer the Batter and Cherry Filling

Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Top with the cherry pie filling, spreading it out for even fruit in every bite. Finally, drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter across the top—the charm is in those golden, uneven patches peeking through the cherries after baking.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is just lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The aroma is pure holiday magic! Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This makes slicing—without a gooey mess—so much easier.

Step 7: Glaze and Slice

For that classic festive finish, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and a hint of almond extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars, let it set, and cut into squares. You’ll have a tray of dazzling, bakery-worthy treats ready for your own Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning celebration.

How to Serve Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning

Garnishes

The finishing touch makes such a difference! Try a shower of extra powdered sugar, a few slivered almonds for crunch, or even a sprinkle of edible gold stars to add a little Christmas sparkle. They’re delicious straight-up, but a little garnish makes things feel extra special.

Side Dishes

If you’re making these bars for a festive brunch, pair them next to a warm mug of cocoa or freshly brewed coffee. They also shine alongside a fruit salad, or nestled on a sweets tray with classic holiday cookies for a picturesque holiday spread.

Creative Ways to Present

These bars are crowd-pleasers, whether you stack them on a rustic wooden board or artfully arrange them on a vintage cake plate lined with parchment. For gifts, wrap individual squares in parchment and tie with a holiday ribbon. Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning also make a magical addition to any cookie swap or as a thoughtful, homemade host gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The glaze helps lock in moisture, so they stay soft and fresh. If you need to stack them, place a piece of parchment in between layers to keep things neat.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning! Slice the cooled bars, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you love your cherry bars slightly warm, just pop a piece in the microwave for about 10 seconds or until just heated through. The glaze softens slightly and the cherries become extra juicy—pure comfort with zero fuss!

FAQs

Can I use homemade cherry pie filling instead of canned?

Absolutely! A homemade cherry filling adds a lovely personal touch, especially if you have fresh or frozen cherries on hand. Just be sure the filling is cool and thickened before layering it onto the batter to avoid excess moisture.

What other fruit fillings work in this recipe?

While cherry is the festive favorite, you can easily swap in blueberry, raspberry, or even apple pie filling for a fun twist. Each fruit lends its own delightful color and flavor while keeping the process just as simple.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The bars should look golden on top and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean (a little cherry is fine!). Try not to overbake, as extra time can dry out the tender crumb.

Can I make Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning gluten-free?

Yes, just substitute a measure-for-measure gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the traditional flour. Double-check your other ingredient labels to ensure they’re gluten-free, and you’re set for a delicious gluten-free version.

Is it possible to make the bars ahead of Christmas morning?

Definitely! In fact, these bars taste just as lovely the next day. Simply cover and store at room temperature. Wait to drizzle the glaze until a couple of hours before serving to keep everything looking picture-perfect.

Final Thoughts

If your holiday season needs one more simple, showstopping dessert, let it be Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning. From family breakfasts to sharing with friends and neighbors, these melt-in-your-mouth bars promise to spread joy wherever they go. Give them a try and create delicious new traditions—your loved ones will thank you!

Cherry Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treat for Christmas Morning Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the festive spirit with these Cherry Bars, a delightful treat perfect for Christmas mornings. These bars feature a buttery base, sweet cherry filling, and a luscious almond glaze, making them a holiday favorite.

Ingredients

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For the Bars:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time, mix in extracts.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour and salt, then add to wet mixture.
Assemble: Spread most of batter in pan, top with cherry filling, drop remaining batter on top.
Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and set.
Glaze: Whisk sugar, milk, and almond extract, drizzle over cooled bars.