CHERRY BARS FOR A CROWD

These Cherry Bars are a perfect treat when you’re feeding a crowd! They’re sweet, tangy, and easy to make. The combination of a buttery crust, cherry filling, and crumble topping will definitely be a hit at any gathering.

Cherry Bars for a Crowd

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the cherry filling:

• 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling (or 4 cups of fresh or frozen cherries with sugar if making homemade filling)

• 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, if you want a thicker filling)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for added brightness)

For the crumble topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

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 for easy removal.

2. Make the crust:

   • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.

   • Add the softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined, and a dough begins to form.

   • Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. You can use your fingers or the back of a spoon to spread it evenly.

   • Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until it is just lightly golden brown.

3. Prepare the cherry filling:

   • While the crust is baking, prepare the cherry filling. If using canned cherry pie filling, just stir in the lemon juice (if using).

   • If using fresh or frozen cherries, combine the cherries with sugar (about 1 cup for 4 cups of cherries) and cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the cherries are softened and the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and remove from heat.

4. Make the crumble topping:

   • In a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

   • Pour in the melted butter and stir until everything is well combined and crumbly.

5. Assemble the bars:

   • Once the crust has baked, remove it from the oven and spread the cherry filling evenly over the top of the baked crust.

   • Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the cherry filling.

6. Bake the cherry bars:

   • Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

   • Allow the cherry bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.

7. Serve and enjoy:

   • Slice into squares or bars and serve. These are perfect for parties, picnics, or as an afternoon snack with coffee!

Optional Tips:

• Add a glaze: For an extra touch, drizzle a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk over the top after they cool.

• Use other fruit: Feel free to swap out the cherry filling for blueberry, strawberry, or even a mixed berry filling.

• Serve with ice cream: These bars would pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top!

These Cherry Bars are a perfect dessert to feed a large group with minimal effort, and they’re sure to impress with their sweet, buttery flavor. Enjoy! Let me know if you need any more variations or ideas!