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Cherry Pie Bars with Brown Sugar Almond Streusel Recipe

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3.9 from 85 reviews

These Cherry Pie Bars with Brown Sugar Almond Streusel combine a luscious tart cherry filling with a buttery oat-almond crust and a crunchy streusel topping. Perfectly baked to golden-brown perfection, these bars offer a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a satisfying texture. Ideal for dessert or a special snack, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
  • Yield: 15-20 bars

Ingredients

Cherry Filling

  • 2 lb frozen tart cherries
  • ¾ cup (168g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Crust and Streusel

  • 1 ½ cups (150g) quick cook oats
  • 1 ½ cups (195g) all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
  • 1 ⅓ cups (152g) sliced almonds, finely chopped
  • 1 ⅓ cups (266g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9×13″ baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Make the Cherry Filling: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the frozen tart cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens noticeably. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  3. Prepare the Crust Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the quick cook oats, flour, finely chopped sliced almonds, brown sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir until well mixed.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients to Crust: Pour in the melted butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until fully combined. Use your hands to bring the mixture together for better incorporation.
  5. Assemble the Bars: Set aside 2 cups of the crust mixture to use as the streusel topping. Press the remaining crust mixture evenly and firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup.
  6. Layer Filling and Streusel: Spread the thickened cherry filling evenly over the pressed crust. Then, evenly sprinkle the reserved 2 cups of crust mixture over the cherry layer as a streusel topping.
  7. Bake: Place the pan on the middle rack and bake at 350˚F for 32-34 minutes. Turn the pan once during baking to ensure even browning of the crust and topping.
  8. Cool and Slice: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely to room temperature, which takes about 2 hours. To speed this up, once the pan is cool to the touch, place it in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes. After cooling, slice into squares—either 3×5 for 15 bars or 4×5 for 20 bars.
  9. Serve: Enjoy the cherry pie bars plain or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

Notes

  • Use frozen tart cherries for the best tart flavor and texture; if unavailable, fresh tart cherries can be substituted in season.
  • Make sure to cook the filling until thickened to prevent the bars from being soggy.
  • Press the crust firmly to create a sturdy base that holds the cherry filling well.
  • Letting the bars cool completely before slicing helps them set and makes cutting cleaner.
  • These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Optional: For extra crunch, toast the sliced almonds before adding to the crust mixture.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/cherry-pie-bars-with-brown-sugar-almond-streusel-recipe/