Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Cherry Bars, a perfect combination of buttery crust, sweet cherry pie filling, and crunchy walnuts. These bars bring warmth and holiday cheer, featuring a tender base layered with luscious cherries and topped with a nutty crumble. Ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy winter treats, they offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
Topping
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Remaining 1/3 dough from base mixture
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) ensuring it’s at the right temperature for baking the bars evenly.
- Prepare Creamy Mixture: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy, which provides the buttery richness to the crust.
- Form Dough: Add in the all-purpose flour and salt to the creamed mixture and mix until a cohesive dough forms, careful not to overwork it to keep the texture tender.
- Press Base Layer: Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, forming the base crust that will hold the cherry filling.
- Spread Cherry Filling: Evenly spoon the cherry pie filling over the pressed dough layer to create a sweet and tangy middle layer.
- Prepare Topping Mixture: Combine the remaining one-third dough with the almond extract and chopped walnuts, mixing gently to distribute flavors and nuts evenly.
- Top the Bars: Crumble the walnut and almond dough mixture over the cherry filling layer, covering it with a nutty, textured topping.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the edges appear set and slightly crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares to ensure clean slices and maintain their shape.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for best texture in the crust.
- Use a quality cherry pie filling for a balanced sweetness and tartness.
- Let the bars cool fully before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Walnuts can be substituted with pecans for a different nutty flavor.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
