Christmas Cherry Bars

These Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive holiday treat with a buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a crumbly topping. They’re simple to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season.

Ingredients

For the Bars

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 2 cups sugar

• 4 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

Optional Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add flour and salt to the wet mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing.

Step 4: Layer and Bake
Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the prepared pan to create the base layer. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough.

Step 5: Create Crumb Topping
Crumble the remaining one-third of the dough evenly over the cherry filling.

Step 6: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 7: Prepare Glaze (Optional)
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.

Step 8: Slice and Serve
Once the glaze has set, cut the bars into squares or rectangles and enjoy the festive flavors.

Tips

• Chill the dough slightly before pressing into the pan for easier handling.

• For extra texture, sprinkle some chopped nuts on top before baking.

• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.