Cherry Pie Crumble Bars

$Here’s what you need to make Cherry Pie Crumble Bars. Gather these items for a fun baking session: - Fresh or frozen cherries: 2 cups - Granulated sugar: 1 cup - Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon - Cornstarch: 1 teaspoon - All-purpose flour: 1 ½ cups - Rolled oats: ½ cup - Brown sugar: ½ cup - Unsalted butter: ½ cup, cubed - Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon - Baking powder: ½ teaspoon - Salt: ¼ teaspoon Each ingredient plays a key role in creating that perfect balance of sweet and tart. The cherries give a burst of flavor. Sugar adds sweetness. Lemon juice brightens everything up. Cornstarch helps thicken the cherry filling. The flour, oats, and brown sugar form a crumbly base and topping. Butter brings richness, while vanilla adds warmth. Baking powder helps the bars rise slightly, and salt enhances all the flavors. When gathering your ingredients, opt for fresh cherries if you can. They bring a bright taste. If not, frozen cherries work just as well. Each bite will be a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Enjoy the process of gathering these ingredients; it’s the first step to baked bliss! Start by combining the cherries with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Mix them well, and then set this mixture aside. Let it sit for a bit. This time allows the cherries to release their juicy goodness. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients: flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure they are well combined. Next, add the cold, cubed butter and the vanilla extract. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the mixture. You want it to look like coarse crumbs. Remember to reserve one cup of this crumb mixture for the topping. Now, take the remaining crumb mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This will form the crust. Then, spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust. Finally, sprinkle the reserved crumb topping over the cherries. Make sure it covers them well. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking dish in the oven. Bake the bars for 30 to 35 minutes. You will know they are done when the topping is golden brown and the cherries are bubbling. Enjoy the delightful aroma filling your kitchen! To know when your Cherry Pie Crumble Bars are ready, look for a golden top. The edges should bubble slightly, and the filling should look thick and juicy. This usually takes about 30-35 minutes in the oven. Letting the bars cool before slicing is very important. If you cut them too soon, they might fall apart. Allow them to cool in the dish for at least 30 minutes. This helps the filling set up and makes for neat slices. The best serving temperature is warm or at room temperature. Serve them fresh from the oven for a cozy treat. You can also dust them with powdered sugar for a nice touch. Pairing these bars with ice cream or whipped cream takes them to the next level. The creaminess balances the tart cherries. Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, but feel free to try others, like almond or caramel. If you face a soggy crust, it may be due to too much juice from the cherries. To fix this, make sure to drain excess liquid before adding the filling. You can also bake the crust alone for a few minutes before adding the filling. To ensure even baking, rotate your baking dish halfway through the bake time. This helps the heat spread out evenly. If you notice uneven browning, you can cover the top with foil for the last few minutes. {{image_2}} You can change the flavor of these bars easily. Instead of cherries, try blueberries or peaches. Each fruit gives a new taste and look. You can also add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to give warmth. Just a pinch can change everything. You will love how these flavors blend. If you need a gluten-free version, it is simple. Use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. This swap lets everyone enjoy these tasty bars without worry. Make sure to check that your other ingredients are gluten-free too. With this change, you will still get a great texture and flavor. For a vegan treat, swap out butter for plant-based margarine. This keeps the rich taste while being animal-friendly. You can also replace eggs with a flaxseed mixture. Just mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. This works well in many recipes, including our crumble bars. With these easy swaps, everyone can enjoy a slice! To keep your Cherry Pie Crumble Bars fresh, use an airtight container. This helps lock in moisture and flavor. Place the bars in a single layer, if possible. You can also separate layers with parchment paper. This way, they don’t stick together. For long-term storage, freeze your bars. First, let them cool completely. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. After that, place them in an airtight container or a freezer bag. This method keeps them fresh for about three months. To thaw the bars, move them to the fridge overnight. If you need them faster, let them sit at room temperature for a couple of hours. Avoid using the microwave, as it can change the texture. In the fridge, these bars last about five days. They stay tasty and fresh for a week. If you freeze them, they can last up to three months. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. You can use flour or tapioca as a thickener. Both work well with cherries. If you choose flour, use about 1 tablespoon. For tapioca, use 2 teaspoons. Both help absorb juice without changing the flavor. Yes, you can use canned cherries. Drain the juice first. Canned cherries are often sweeter, so reduce the sugar by a few tablespoons. Taste the filling and adjust sugar as needed. Yes, you can make these bars ahead of time. Once baked, let them cool. Store them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for about three days at room temperature. Each bar has about 200 calories. They contain carbohydrates, sugars, and fats. You get some fiber from the oats and cherries, too. For a healthier option, serve with fresh fruit or yogurt. In this post, we explored how to make Cherry Pie Crumble Bars. We covered the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. You learned about flavor variations and storage options too. These bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Experiment with different fruits to find your favorite. Enjoy these treats fresh or store them for later. Happy baking!$

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious Cherry Pie Crumble Bars! Made with fresh or frozen cherries, a buttery crumbly topping, and a hint of vanilla, they're perfect for any occasion. Easy to prepare in just 15 minutes, these bars are warm, inviting, and sure to impress your friends and family. Click through to discover this scrumptious recipe and treat yourself today! Enjoy the perfect balance of flavors in every bite!

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Ingredients

2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup rolled oats

½ cup brown sugar, packed

½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x9 inch baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine the cherries, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside to let the juices release.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Add the cubed cold butter and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve 1 cup of this mixture for the crumble topping.

Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.

Spread the cherry mixture evenly over the crust.

Sprinkle the reserved crumb topping over the cherries to create an even layer.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherries are bubbling.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the baking dish before slicing into bars.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 9-12 bars

- Presentation Tips: Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with powdered sugar, and enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a delightful treat!