Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch
– 1 teaspoon lemon juice
– 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
– Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Make the Crust:
– In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
– Add the softened butter and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
– Press about two-thirds of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
3. Prepare the Cherry Filling:
– In a medium bowl, mix the cherry pie filling with cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract until well combined.
4. Assemble the Bars:
– Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
– Crumble the remaining one-third of the crust mixture over the top of the cherry filling.
5. Bake the Bars:
– Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
6. Cool and Serve:
– Allow the cherry pie bars to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack.
– Once cooled, cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Servings: 12
Indulge in these delightful Cherry Pie Bars, perfect for a sweet treat or dessert!
