Description
Sweet Cherry Delight Bars blend nostalgic Midwestern charm with luscious fruit flavors. Layers of buttery crust, rich cream cheese filling, and ruby-red cherry topping promise a delightful dessert you’ll savor with pure pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with a light coating of butter or non-stick spray.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, creating a smooth texture.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, thoroughly blending after each addition to ensure a uniform consistency.
- Gently fold in the vanilla and almond extracts, distributing the flavors evenly throughout the batter.
- Gradually introduce the flour into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined without overmixing.
- Carefully spread of the prepared dough as an even base layer across the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Distribute the cherry pie filling uniformly over the initial dough layer, creating a vibrant fruity surface.
- Delicately scatter the remaining dough in small dollops across the cherry filling, creating a rustic, textured appearance.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top that indicates proper doneness.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack within the pan, ensuring stability and even cooling.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk until achieving a smooth, drizzle-friendly consistency.
- Once cooled, elegantly drizzle the glaze over the cherry bars, creating an appealing final presentation.
Notes
- Elevate this classic dessert by using high-quality pure vanilla and almond extracts for a richer, more complex flavor profile.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother creaming and better incorporation with other ingredients.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easier removal and cleanup of the bars.
- Check doneness by looking for a golden-brown top and slightly firm edges that pull away from the pan sides.
- Allow bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent the sugar drizzle from melting and becoming runny.
- For a professional finish, use a squeeze bottle or piping bag to create an elegant glaze pattern across the bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 453 kcal
- Sugar: 48 g
- Sodium: 172 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg