Easy Cherry Almond Dream Bars Recipe: Sweet Summer Magic

Sweet and nutty cherry almond dream bars tantalize taste buds with their irresistible combination of flavors.

Delicate layers of soft, crumbly pastry mingle with rich, creamy almond filling and bright, juicy cherries.

These delightful bars promise a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Homemade desserts often carry magical memories of family gatherings and weekend baking adventures.

Sophisticated yet approachable, the recipe blends classic ingredients with unexpected twists that elevate a simple treat.

Each bite reveals a careful balance of sweet and slightly tart notes that complement the underlying nuttiness.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that changes ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Drinks That Pair with Almond Bars

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream: The rich, cool vanilla ice cream beautifully balances the warm, sweet cherry bars, creating a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
• Complement with Almond-Infused Coffee: A smooth, nutty coffee with almond notes enhances the almond topping and echoes the dessert's flavor profile, making each bite more enjoyable.
• Serve with Sparkling Rosé Wine: The light, fruity bubbles of a chilled rosé cut through the creamy cheesecake layer and provide a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.
• Match with Chamomile Tea: A gentle, soothing chamomile tea softens the dessert's sweetness and offers a calming counterpoint to the rich cherry and almond flavors.

New Flavors for Cherry Almond Bars

• Rustic Berry Bliss Bars: Swap cherry pie filling with mixed berry compote and use oatmeal cookie mix for a hearty, rustic base.
• Tropical Coconut Dream Bars: Replace almonds with toasted coconut flakes and use mango or pineapple filling for a tropical flavor profile.
• Chocolate Raspberry Indulgence Bars: Substitute sugar cookie mix with chocolate cookie mix, use raspberry pie filling, and sprinkle dark chocolate chips on top for an intense dessert experience.
• Autumn Spice Sensation Bars: Mix in warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to the cheesecake layer, use apple pie filling, and top with chopped pecans for a cozy fall-inspired treat.

Why You’ll Love Cherry Almond Dream Bars

• Create Delightful Texture Contrast: Experience a heavenly blend of crumbly sugar cookie crust, creamy cheesecake layer, and crunchy almond topping that dances across your taste buds.
• Whip Up Effortless Elegance: Enjoy a stunning dessert that looks professionally made but requires minimal baking skills, using convenient sugar cookie mix and simple layering technique.
• Celebrate Versatile Dessert Magic: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or weekend treat cravings, these bars deliver a crowd-pleasing combination of sweet cherries, rich cream cheese, and nutty almonds.
• Bake with Minimal Time Investment: Quickly assemble and bake in under an hour, making it an ideal dessert for spontaneous sweet tooth moments or last-minute entertaining.

What You’ll Need for Cherry Almond Bars

• Sugar Cookie Mix: A convenient base that provides a sweet, buttery foundation for the bars.
• Cold Butter: Helps create a crisp, flaky crust with rich flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers a creamy, tangy texture to the filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake layer with balanced smoothness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps stabilize and thicken the cheesecake mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor depth to the filling.
• Large Egg: Binds and provides structure to the cheesecake layer.

• Cherry Pie Filling: Brings vibrant, sweet-tart fruit flavor and beautiful color.
• Sliced Almonds: Offers a delightful crunch and nutty complementary taste.

How to Bake Cherry Almond Dream Bars

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing slight overhang for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Delicious Crust

Mix sugar cookie mix with cold butter until crumbly. Press 2/3 of the mixture firmly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Cheesecake Layer

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Flour
• Vanilla extract
• Egg

Mix until smooth and completely incorporated.

Step 4: Layer with Fruity Goodness

Spread cheesecake mixture evenly over the warm crust. Carefully dollop cherry pie filling across the surface, creating a beautiful marbled effect.

Step 5: Add Crunchy Almond Topping

Combine remaining cookie mixture with chopped almonds. Sprinkle the crumbly topping generously over the cherry and cheesecake layers.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Return pan to oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Look for a golden-brown topping and slightly set center.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Allow bars to cool completely in pan. Use foil edges to lift out and cut into squares. Refrigerate for firmer texture if desired.

Tips for Baking Perfect Cherry Almond Bars

• Chill the Butter: Use cold, cubed butter for a crumbly, flaky crust that holds together perfectly.
• Smooth Out Filling: Beat cream cheese at room temperature to ensure a silky, lump-free cheesecake layer.
• Distribute Cherries Evenly: Gently spread cherry pie filling to create a balanced, colorful layer across the bars.
• Protect the Edges: Tent foil over the pan if the topping browns too quickly during baking.
• Cool Completely: Let bars cool entirely at room temperature, then refrigerate to set for clean, perfect slices.

Storing Cherry Almond Dream Bars Right

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Cherry Almond Dream Bars in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep them covered to prevent moisture loss and maintain their delicious texture.
• Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars will stay fresh for 2-3 months, perfect for future sweet cravings.
• Reheat: Thaw refrigerated or frozen bars at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. For a warm treat, microwave each bar briefly (10-15 seconds) to restore that fresh-from-the-oven softness and enhance the cherry and almond flavors.

Cherry Almond Dream Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Cherry Almond Dream Bars offer a luxurious dessert experience blending Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Delicate almond flour crust topped with rich cherry compote creates a perfect balance of nutty and fruity notes you’ll crave with every indulgent bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8.5 ounces (240 grams) sugar cookie mix
• 8 ounces (226 grams) softened cream cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ can cherry pie filling

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (56 grams) cold unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (8 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• ⅓ cup (40 grams) toasted sliced almonds

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and carefully line a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides for easy removal.
2. Pulse the sugar cookie mix and cold unsalted butter in a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, creating a uniform texture for the crust.
3. Transfer approximately 2/3 of the cookie crumb mixture into the prepared baking pan, gently pressing it down with the back of a measuring cup to create an even, compact base layer.
4. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a light golden brown, then remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
5. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, pure vanilla extract, and large egg until the mixture becomes completely smooth and free of lumps.
6. Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the partially baked crust, ensuring a consistent layer that reaches all corners of the pan.
7. Gently spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, distributing it in an even, attractive pattern.
8. Mix the remaining cookie crumb mixture with sliced almonds, creating a crumbly, textured topping that will add crunch and visual appeal.
9. Sprinkle the almond-cookie mixture generously over the cherry pie filling, covering most of the surface.
10. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top turns a rich golden brown and the filling appears set but slightly jiggly in the center.
11. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour, then refrigerate for an additional 2 hours to achieve the perfect texture.
12. Lift the bars out of the pan using the foil edges, cut into squares, and serve chilled for the most delightful cherry almond experience.

Notes

• Elevate your baking game with these decadent bars that combine the classic flavors of cherries and almonds in a creamy cheesecake-style dessert.
• Prepare your baking pan ahead of time by lining it with foil for easy removal and clean-up, ensuring perfect bars every time.
• The sugar cookie mix creates a quick and foolproof crust that adds a delightful buttery base to the rich cheesecake layer.
• Achieve a smooth cheesecake filling by mixing ingredients at room temperature and beating until completely incorporated.
• Sprinkle the almond-cookie topping generously to create a crunchy, golden-brown finish that adds texture and nutty flavor.
• Cool completely before cutting to allow layers to set and flavors to meld, resulting in clean, picture-perfect slices.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg