You won’t be able to resist the fresh spring flavor of a cherry pie bar. Just try not to eat them all in one day!
Despite the fact that I’m covered in goosebumps and huddled under a blanket while I type this spring has officially sprung here in Michigan. Which actually might be the best sign that it is in fact spring. Cold in the morning and mid-70s by the afternoon. Those days where you leave the house with a jacket and forget it at work because it’s so warm by the time you head home.
It’s even supposed to be sunny today. Whaaaaaaat?
And sunny, cool fading into warm spring days have me craving the fresh taste of cherries and berries. After a long winter, with the world just starting to thaw out, bright, fresh flavors make you feel alive again. And nothing says spring and summer to me quite like…well, ice cream…but also fruit pies.
Except for apple pie which always says fall. We’ll be together again soon apple pie.
And while I’m waiting for my days in the sun with apple pie again {+10 cool points if you get that reference} I like to get a little extra on the side with cherry. I have room in my life for both!
Although, I think that technically you’d call this guy a cherry crumble.
Which was my grandma’s favorite way to eat just about any pie. From her favorite shoo fly pie to cherry to apple. She much preferred a crumble because most of the time that also eliminated the need for a pie crust. And while I’m calling these pie bars there isn’t a bit of pie crust in sight.
But I’m a blogger. I do what I want. And I want these pie bars. Stat! Sub your favorite pie filling, homemade or canned, if you’re not a fan of cherry. This’ll taste amazing with just about any kind you like.
I shared these with a friend and she said she ate the entire plate I brought her. In one day.
Cherry Pie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter,, softened
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 3/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 21 oz cans cherry pie filling
For the Crumble Topping
- 1 cup flour
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 6 Tbs butter,, melted
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and mix well, scraping down sides of the bowl.
- Sift in flour and baking powder and mix until combined.
- Press dough into an even layer in a 9x13 baking dish lined with parchment paper and pour over the cherry pie filling.
- To make the crumble combine the flour, brown sugar, and melted butter and stir until mixture resembles damp sand. Sprinkle over the pie filling in an even layer.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars and serving.
