September 11, 2023
Review RecipeCherry Pie Bars

Table of Contents
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

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 explosion of 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.
Substitutions And Additions
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.
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.
How To Make This 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 (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.
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
STEP TWO: 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.

STEP THREE: Remove half of the mixture and set aside. Press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared 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 2 cans of pie filling for extra cherry-filled pie bars.

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

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 scoop of whipped cream on top.
If you love the flavor of juicy, bright cherries, our cherry fluff and cherry cheesecake cookies are two more delightful recipes to try.
MORE PIE BARS RECIPES
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 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
ON THE COUNTER: Store leftover cherry pie filling desserts in an airtight container on the countertop at room temperature for 2 to 3 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 1 month without compromising their flavor or texture.

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
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.
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.
These delicious bars can be stored in the freezer for up to a month in an airtight container.
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Cherry Pie Bars
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.
Comments
Joey says
Such a delicious and gorgeous dessert!
Lisa Bayer says
The recipe says 2 cake mixes and instructions say cake mix. Do you really use 2 cake mixes??
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Lisa – yes, you need two cake mixes for this recipe. Enjoy!
Nickie says
Can I use fresh pitted cherries from my tree instead of the cherry pie filling?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Nickie – we haven’t tested it with fresh cherries so I’m not sure how it would turn out. I’m not sure how much sugar would need to be added, etc. for them to be the right texture. Please let me know if you end up experimenting… enjoy!
Peggy Smicker says
I absolutely love th