Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive and delightful treat that brings back cherished memories for us Nonnas. The aroma of these sweet, buttery bars baking in the oven always fills our kitchens with holiday cheer, reminding us of family gatherings and shared laughter. Two batches of Christmas Cherry Bars are hardly ever enough, they’re popular, quick, and absolutely delicious.
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These Christmas Cherry Bars aren’t just a dessert; they’re a tradition we’re excited to share with you. So, dust off your aprons, let’s get baking, and create some new memories together!
Why You Will Love This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
This Christmas cherry bars recipe is one that we’ve been making for generations. Its simplicity is its charm. There’s no fancy equipment needed, just a bowl, a spoon, and a baking pan. And did we mention the taste? The combination of the buttery crust, the sweet cherry filling, and the almond extract is simply divine!
What makes this recipe special is the sense of nostalgia it evokes. For us, it brings back memories of baking with our mothers and grandmothers, each generation adding their own little twist to the recipe. Now, it's your turn to create your own family memories with these irresistible cherry bars. Plus, they look absolutely gorgeous on a holiday dessert platter! Or even better, follow these cherry bars up with our incredible Christmas Cherry Fluff.
Ingredients Needed for This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of our beloved cherry bars. Don’t worry, most of these ingredients are probably already in your pantry!
For the Crust:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
How to Make This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
Follow our simple, step by step instructions and you’ll be enjoying these Christmas gems in no time.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is where a hand mixer comes in handy, but a wooden spoon and some elbow grease work just as well!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, otherwise you will end up with tough bars.
- Press half of the dough into the prepared baking pan to form the crust. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to evenly distribute the dough. No need to pre bake the crust.
- In a medium bowl, gently stir together the cherry pie filling, nuts (if using), and almond extract. Be careful not to over stir; you want to keep those cherries intact!
- Spread the cherry mixture evenly over the crust.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry filling. Don’t worry about covering every inch; a little cherry peekaboo is perfectly fine!
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This is important! Otherwise, they’ll be too crumbly and a mess. And don't forget to Follow us on Pinterest for more delightful recipes and baking tips.
- Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, for an extra festive touch.
How to Serve This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
These Christmas cherry bars are perfect on their own with a cup of hot coffee or tea. They also make a delightful addition to any holiday dessert platter.
For an extra touch of elegance, try serving them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate also adds a festive flair. For a truly decadent experience, consider making a batch of our Black Forest Trifle For Christmas to serve alongside these bars.
How to Store This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
To keep your Christmas cherry bars fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Just be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. They’re also a great addition to a party alongside Ham And Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees 2.
For freezing, wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Tips to Make This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
- Use softened butter: This is crucial for a smooth and creamy crust.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will develop the gluten and result in a tough crust.
- Use good quality cherry pie filling: The better the filling, the better the bars.
- Let the bars cool completely: This is essential for clean cuts; otherwise, they will be messy.
- Add a pinch of salt to the filling: Enhances sweetness of the bars.
Helpful Notes for This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
We like to use a standard 21 ounce can of cherry pie filling for this recipe. If you prefer a less sweet filling, you can use a light filling or add a squeeze of lemon juice to balance the flavors.
For the nuts, we recommend using walnuts or pecans, but you can use any nuts you like or omit them altogether if you have allergies. Almond extract is essential for that classic cherry flavor, but you can substitute with vanilla extract if needed.
Variation of This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
- Chocolate Cherry Bars: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the cherry pie filling for a decadent twist.
- Cranberry Cherry Bars: Use cranberry sauce instead of cherry pie filling for a festive variation.
- Nutella Cherry Bars: Swirl a spoonful of Nutella into the cherry filling for a touch of hazelnut flavor.
- GlutenFree Cherry Bars: For our gluten free friends, these can easily be converted by simply swapping the all purpose flour for gluten free all purpose flour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Christmas Cherry Bars a good holiday treat?
Christmas Cherry Bars are a classic holiday dessert known for their sweet, buttery flavor and festive appearance. They are easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season.
How long do Christmas Cherry Bars typically last?
When stored properly in an airtight container, Christmas Cherry Bars can last for up to a week at room temperature or longer if refrigerated. They can also be frozen for extended storage.
Can I use different types of cherries in Christmas Cherry Bars?
Yes, you can experiment with different types of cherries, such as maraschino cherries (most common), dried cherries, or even fresh cherries if they are in season and available. Adjust the sugar content as needed based on the sweetness of the cherries you choose.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy making these Christmas Cherry Bars as much as we do! They're a simple pleasure that brings a touch of sweetness and nostalgia to any holiday celebration. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let the baking begin!
These easy Christmas Cherry Bars are sure to become a family favorite! And as always, feel free to leave us a comment or question below. We’d love to hear how your baking adventure went!
Christmas Cherry Bars: The EASIEST Holiday Recipe
Buttery, sweet, and filled with festive cheer, these Christmas Cherry Bars are a simple, nostalgic treat perfect for holiday gatherings.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 16 bars
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Nutrition:
Protein: 3g
Carbs: 38g
Fat: 14g
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Whisk flour and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture until just combined.
- Press half of dough into the pan.
- Stir cherry pie filling, nuts (optional), and almond extract.
- Spread cherry mixture over the crust.
- Crumble remaining dough over the cherry filling.
- Bake 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool completely before cutting.
- Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
Notes
- For best results, use softened butter and avoid overmixing the dough. Let cherry bars cool completely before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
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