These cherry pie bars have an oatmeal cinnamon crumble with cherry pie filling. It is also topped with cherry glaze. This is a great recipe to use those cherries!
These homemade cherry pie bars are a delicious dessert with all of the homemade cherry pie filling and less work! The bottom layer is a delicious oatmeal cinnamon crumble that is a perfect combination with the sweet cherry pie filling. The crumble on top and cherry glaze round out these dessert bars to make them taste even better than a traditional pie. Next time your guests will ask for your cherry pie in bar form!
For other fruity desserts, try Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake, Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies, and Lemon Donuts.
Jump to:
Why This Cherry Pie Bar Recipe Works
- Cherry pie- These cherry pie bars are easier to make than cherry pie, but with all of the delicious cherry flavor!
- Oatmeal crumble- This oatmeal crumble gives a crunchy texture and delicious oat flavor that balance the cherry pie filling beautifully.
- Easy cherry pie bars- This is an easy recipe that doesn't have any of the challenge of a homemade pie crust. It also keeps the homemade flavor that will beat any can of cherry pie filling every time.
- No mixer needed- This recipe does not require an electric mixer, so you can put your stand mixer and hand mixer away!
Ingredient Notes for Cherry Bars
Here are some notes on the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.
- Cherries- This recipe was tested with sweet cherries, but sour cherries or your favorite variety of cherries should work just fine!
- Quick oats- Use quick oats or fast oats, but not old fashioned oats, as they will not cook the same.
- Brown sugar- I used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar will be fine, too.
- Unsalted butter- Melt this before you need it so it has some time to cool.
- Cherry filling- You will make this in the first steps. You do not need a store-bought pie filling.
- Powdered sugar- Make sure to sift this before using it to avoid a gritty texture.
Step By Step Instructions - Cherry Pie Filling and Oatmeal Crumble
Here is how to make and bake the cherry pie filling and oatmeal crumble for these cherry pie bars.
STEP 1: Mix cherry pie filling. Mix together the washed and pitted cherries, water, cornstarch, sugar, and almond extract in a saucepan over medium heat.
STEP 2: Cook cherry filling. Continue to mix the cherry mixture until juice starts to release. Continue cooking for 5-10 minutes until the filling thickens. Then, pour it into a separate bowl and let it cool.
STEP 3: Prep. Preheat the oven to 300F. Meanwhile, spray an 8X8 inch square pan with nonstick baking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper with it coming up 2 sides enough to use as handles later. Spray it again.
STEP 4: Mix crumble. Mix the all purpose flour, quick oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a mixing bowl. Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients and mix it in with a fork until combined.
STEP 5: Separate crumble. Take 1 cup of the crumble and set it aside for later. Pour the rest into the prepared pan.
STEP 6: Bake. Bake the crumble for 15 minutes.
STEP 7: Pour. Pour the cherry filling over the hot crust, setting aside 1 tablespoon for later. Pour the 1 cup of crumble we set aside earlier on top.
STEP 8: Bake. Bake for 30-35 minutes. It is done when the topping is golden brown and it is slightly jiggly. Place the pan on a cooling rack to cool completely before placing it in a fridge to chill.
Step By Step Instructions - Cherry Glaze and Serving
Here is how to make the cherry glaze and serve the cherry pie bars.
STEP 1: Prep bars. Before decorating the cherry pie bars need to be cold. Once it is cold, take it out of the pan and remove the parchment paper.
STEP 2: Mix glaze. Mix the powdered sugar, cherry filling we set aside, and milk together in a small bowl using a whisk.
STEP 3: Decorate and serve. Drizzle the cherry glaze on top of the bars. Finally, cut the dessert into individual bars to serve!
Expert Baking Tips
- Properly measure your flour- Make sure the flour is spooned and leveled. If you stick the measuring cup directly into the flour, it will compact the flour giving you too much flour.
- Make sure to thoroughly spray the pan with baking spray to make sure it is easy to remove from the pan. It also helps to use parchment paper to lift it out, so leave plenty coming up the sides. If it is sticking you can use a knife to separate it from the sides of the pan.
- Do not take the cherry pie bars out of the fridge until they are cold, as they will not set while still too warm. This can make them fall apart when you take them out of the pan.
FAQ
Yes, you can make the cherry pie filing and then keep it in the refrigerator. Let it get to room temperature before baking with it.
If you do not have fresh cherries available you can substitute in frozen cherries.
No, this recipe is for fresh or frozen cherries only.
Storing and Freezing
Store these cherry pie bars in an airtight container or in the pan with aluminum foil over top. Store in the fridge up to 5 days.
Freezing
You can freeze the cherry pie bars in individual slices. Store in an airtight container and freeze up to 30 days. Thaw for 1-2 hours before eating.
Other Pie Filling Recipes To Try
Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats. To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
Cherry Pie Bars
Ingredients
Cherry Pie Filling
- 1 lb Cherries washed and pitted
- 2 tablespoon Water
- 2 tablespoon Cornstarch
- ¾ cup White granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Almond extract
Oatmeal Crumble
- 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups Quick oats
- ¾ cup Brown sugar packed light or dark
- ½ teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup Unsalted butter melted
Cherry Glaze
- ½ cup Powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon Cherry filling
- 1 TBSP Milk
Instructions
Cherry Pie Filling
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix the cherries (make sure they are washed and pitted first), water, cornstarch, sugar, and almond extract.1 lb Cherries, 2 tablespoon Water, 2 tablespoon Cornstarch, ¾ cup White granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon Almond extract
- Mix until the juice start to release. Cook for 5-10 minutes until filling is thickened. Pour the cherry filling into a separate bowl and cool completely.
Oatmeal Crumble
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8X8-inch square pan with baking nonstick spray. Line the bottoms and 2 sides of the pan. Spray again.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, quick oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients. Use a fork to mix until combined.1 ½ cups All-purpose flour, 1 ¼ cups Quick oats, ¾ cup Brown sugar, ½ teaspoon Baking powder, ½ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon, ¾ cup Unsalted butter
- Take out 1 cup of the crumble and set it to the side. Pour the rest of the crumble into the pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Pour the cherry filling over the hot crust. Make sure to save 1 Tablespoon. Take the 1 cup of crumble and sprinkle on top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. The topping should be golden and will be a little jiggly. Place pan on a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cool, place in the fridge so it gets cold.
- Once cold. Take out of the pan and remove the parchment paper.
Cherry Glaze
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, cherry filling, and milk. Mix using a whisk.½ cup Powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon Cherry filling, 1 tablespoon Milk
- Drizzle on top of the bars. Then, cut into bars.
Leave a Reply