Cherry Pie Barsrn

Name: Cherry Pie Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 packages vanilla cake mix; 2 large egg; ⅔ cup vegetable oil; 1 to 2 cans cherry pie filling ((21-ounce cans)); ½ cups powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon almond extract; ½ tablespoon tablespoons whole milk, (or cream)

close up shot of pieces of cherry pie bars

These easy cherry pie bars feature sweet cherries and a vanilla cake base for a sweet and indulgent treat.

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Table of Contents

Cherry Pie Bars Ingredients
Cherry Pie Bar Recipe Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Easy Cherry Pie Bars Recipe
How To Serve These Cake Mix Cherry Pie Bars
Storing These Cherry Squares
Why These Cherry Pie Bars Are the Best
More Easy Recipes You’ll Love
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These cherry pie bars are the perfect combination of a sweet vanilla cake crust and tart cherry pie filling. This recipe is made easy by using cake mix to create the crust and crumble topping surrounding the juicy cherries packed in the middle layer.

Cherry Pie Bars Ingredients

cherry pie bars raw ingredients that are labeled

These scrumptious treats are the perfect combination of flaky crust, sweet filling, and a hint of tartness from the cherries.

As soon as you take a bite, the flavors will leave you wanting more. The texture of the bars is also incredible, with the softness of the filling complementing the crispness of the crust perfectly.

You’ll need:

2 packages of vanilla cake mix
2 large eggs
⅔ cup of vegetable oil
1 to 2 (21-ounce) cans of cherry pie filling
½ cup of powdered sugar
½ teaspoon of almond extract
1 to 2 tablespoons of whole milk or cream

PRO TIP:

We used about 1½ cans of cherry pie filling for these bars. This made a nice bar with a cherry in every bite. One can of pie filling would be sufficient for a less saucy bar.

Cherry Pie Bar Recipe Substitutions And Additions

Instead of a traditional pie, these pie bars are a perfect way to enjoy a sweet treat.

CAKE MIX: You can use a white or yellow cake mix instead of the vanilla cake mix for these cherry bars. They will all work just fine.

CRUST: You could also make your homemade pie crust or a buttery shortbread crust if you’d like.

ALMOND EXTRACT: The almond extract in the glaze complements the cherry pie filling. You can either skip the almond extract or substitute ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract if you don’t have almond on hand.

CHERRY PIE FILLING: While canned cherry pie filling is easy, if you have homemade cherry pie filling, it would also be a delicious option.

You could also change the flavor of the fruit filling to another flavor if you prefer. Try peach or blueberry pie filling for two delicious choices. Apple pie bars would also be delicious!

CREAM CHEESE: You could add one or two tablespoons of room-temperature cream cheese to make a delicious cream cheese glaze to top your pie bars with.

How To Make This Easy Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

To make these delightful bars, you will first make and bake the cake dough crust. Once it comes out of the oven, you’ll top it with the cherry pie filling and more cake dough before popping it back in the oven.

Our Recipe Developer Says

Keep in mind that you will get a different shape and depth of corner bars depending on the baking pan you are using.

If you are using a baking pan with rounded corners, like many glass pans, your corner pieces will not come out quite so defined. Metal pans tend to have clean-cut corners that will give you better-formed corner bars.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.

STEP TWO: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. The mixture will be thick.

You could also use a medium mixing bowl with a hand mixer.

ake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil combined in a bowl

STEP THREE: Remove half of the mixture and set aside. Press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

mixture pressed into the bottom of a baking dish

STEP FOUR: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven.

STEP FIVE: Spread the cherry filling over the top of the bottom crust.

PRO TIP:

One can of pie filling will cover the pie bars lightly. Use up to two cans of pie filling for extra cherry-filled pie bars.

close up shot of cherry pie filling spread into the baking dish

STEP SIX: Sprinkle the reserved dough in clumps over the top of the pie filling.

reserved dough sprinkled on top of the cherry pie filling

STEP SEVEN: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer until the top of the bars is just beginning to brown.

after the bars are baked in a baking dish

STEP EIGHT: Cool bars completely.

STEP NINE: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to make a sugar glaze. Drizzle over the top of the cooled cherry pie bars.

STEP TEN: Cut into bars and serve.

How To Serve These Cake Mix Cherry Pie Bars

These delicious dessert bars are a divine treat to serve for dessert or to take to a potluck on a tray of dessert bars along with our citrusy lemon bars.

If you want to use these cherry bars for a more substantial dessert, add a scoop of our no-churn vanilla ice cream on the side and a little whipped cream on top. Drizzle a little brown sugar sauce on top for extra sweetness.

If you love the flavor of juicy, bright cherries, our cherry fluff and cherry cheesecake cookies are two more delightful recipes to try.

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Storing These Cherry Squares

Knowing how to store these scrumptious treats will ensure their freshness and deliciousness for longer.

Here are some handy tips on how to store your cherry pie bars.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning to make these cherry pie bars ahead of time, you’re in luck! They can be prepared in advance to save you time when you need a quick dessert fix. Simply follow the recipe as usual, allowing the bars to cool completely.

Once cooled, tightly cover the bars with plastic wrap or transfer them to an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.

ON THE COUNTER: Store leftover cherry pie filling desserts in an airtight container on the countertop at room temperature for two to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: If you’re looking to store your cherry pie bars for longer, the freezer is your best friend. Start by allowing the bars to cool completely.

Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, ensuring they are tightly sealed. Then, place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible.

Stored properly, the cherry pie bars can be frozen for up to one month without compromising their flavor or texture.

Why These Cherry Pie Bars Are the Best

Cherry pie bars are often considered a delightful treat for several reasons:

Convenient Size and Portability: Unlike traditional pies, cherry pie bars are cut into individual servings, making them easy to transport and serve. This makes them ideal for picnics, potlucks, or as a quick snack.

Perfect Blend of Flavors: Cherry pie bars combine the tartness of cherries with the sweetness of the crust and topping, creating a balanced and satisfying flavor profile. This contrast of tastes appeals to a wide range of palates.

Texture Variety: The crust provides a crispy and buttery base, the cherry filling offers a juicy and slightly gooey texture, and the crumbly or lattice topping adds an additional layer of texture. This combination ensures each bite is interesting and enjoyable.

Aesthetic Appeal: With their bright red cherry filling and golden-brown crust, cherry pie bars are visually appealing. They can be further garnished with powdered sugar or a glaze, making them a festive and attractive dessert.

Seasonal and Festive: Cherries are often associated with summer and warm weather, making cherry pie bars a popular choice for seasonal gatherings. They also fit well into holiday menus, especially for events like Fourth of July and summer barbecues.

Comfort Food Qualities: Like many baked goods, cherry pie bars evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia. They can be a reminder of home-cooked meals, family gatherings, or childhood favorites.

Easy to Make in Large Batches: Cherry pie bars can be easily scaled up to feed a large group, making them convenient for entertaining or for baking in bulk.

Cherry pie bars are celebrated for their delicious flavor balance, appealing texture, visual attractiveness, adaptability in recipes, and their ability to evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia.

close up overhead shot of a baking dish full of cherry pie bars

These sweet cherry pie bars are packed with delightful cherry flavor and vibrant red color. A fluffy cake mix creates a delicious crust for the juicy cherry pie filling and dollops of cake mix, and a light glaze drizzled on top finishes off these treats in just the right way.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use a different flavor of pie filling?

This wonderful recipe would be perfect for customization. Just replace the cherry pie filling with any other flavor of your choosing, and you will have created an entirely new dessert.

Can I use a different cake mix for this recipe?

Just like the variety of pie filling choices, you can also opt for a different flavor of cake mix for your soft crust in this recipe.

Can I freeze these bars?

These delicious bars can be stored in the freezer for up to a month in an airtight container.

More Easy Recipes You’ll Love

Cherry Pie Bars

5 from 4 votes

These easy cherry pie bars feature sweet cherries and a vanilla cake base for a sweet and indulgent treat.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings

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Ingredients

2 packages vanilla cake mix
2 large egg
⅔ cup vegetable oil
1 to 2 cans cherry pie filling (21-ounce cans)
½ cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon almond extract
½ tablespoon tablespoons whole milk, or cream

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Beat with a hand (or stand) mixer until combined. The mixture will be thick.
Remove half of the mixture and set aside. Press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven.
Spread cherry pie filling over the top of the baked base. One can of pie filling will cover the pie bars lightly. Use up to 2 cans of pie filling for extra cherry-filled pie bars.
Sprinkle the reserved dough in clumps over the top of the cherry pie filling.
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer, until the top of the bars is just beginning to brown.
Cool bars completely.
Whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to make a sugar glaze. Drizzle over the top of the cooled cherry pie bars.
Cut into bars and serve.

Notes

We used about 1½ cans of cherry pie filling for these bars. This made a nice bar with a cherry in every bite. One can of pie filling would be sufficient for a less saucy bar.
Keep in mind that you will get a different shape and depth of corner bars depending on the baking pan you are using. If you are using a baking pan with rounded corners (usually glass), your corner pieces will not come out quite so defined, while metal pans tend to have clean-cut corners that will give you better-formed corner bars.
One can of pie filling will cover the pie bars lightly. Use up to 2 cans of pie filling for extra cherry-filled pie bars.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Stefanie Knaus Photographer
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