Cherry Almond Bars Recipe: Sweet, Nutty Bliss Bites

Sweet temptations often emerge from unexpected combinations, and these cherry almond delight bars dance with irresistible flavor profiles.

Soft, buttery layers meld perfectly with tangy cherries and rich almonds.

Bakers adore this dessert for its simple elegance and crowd-pleasing charm.

Each bite delivers a delicate balance of nutty crunch and fruity sweetness.

The recipe promises a delightful treat that feels both classic and innovative.

Creamy textures and vibrant colors make these bars a standout dessert for any gathering.

Dive into this delectable creation and let your taste buds celebrate a truly memorable culinary experience.

Serving Cherry Almond Bars in Style

• Dessert Presentation Magic: Slice these bars into elegant squares and arrange on a white ceramic platter for a stunning visual display that highlights the vibrant cherry and golden almond tones.
• Brunch Companion Champion: Pair these Cherry Almond Delight Bars with a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or a light herbal tea, creating a perfect mid-morning treat that balances sweetness and comfort.
• Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack these bars in a sealed container for outdoor gatherings, potlucks, or family picnics where their portable size and delightful flavor will make them an instant crowd-pleaser.
• Festive Garnish Flair: Sprinkle some sliced almonds or a light dusting of powdered sugar on top just before serving to add an extra touch of elegance and crunch that elevates the dessert's visual appeal.

Save and Store Cherry Almond Bars for Later

• Smart Storage Solutions: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Chilled Shelf Life: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping their delightful texture and flavor intact.
• Freezing Magic: Carefully stack bars between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 months when frozen properly.
• Room Temperature Tip: Let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore their soft, tender consistency and enhance the rich almond and cherry flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 307 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes Into Cherry Almond Bars

• Butter: Smooth base creator that ensures rich, tender texture with a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create light, airy structure during mixing.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds moisture and helps hold the bar's delicate structure.

• Vanilla Extract: Warm, classic flavor booster that deepens the overall taste profile.
• Almond Extract: Intensifies nutty undertones and complements the cherry notes beautifully.

• All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental structure builder that gives bars their tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent ensuring light, soft texture with perfect rise.
• Salt: Subtle flavor enhancer that balances sweetness and brings out other ingredients.

• Cherry Pie Filling: Vibrant fruity layer that adds moisture and tangy sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates silky smooth glaze with elegant, refined finish.
• Milk: Helps thin powdered sugar into perfect drizzling consistency.

Tools That Help With Cherry Almond Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients and ensuring no lumps.
• Jelly roll pan: Ideal for baking and spreading the bar mixture evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar quickly and efficiently.
• Spatula: Great for scraping batter and spreading layers evenly.
• Cooling rack: Helps bars cool down properly after baking.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing glaze ingredients.

How to Make Cherry Almond Bars with Ease

• Oven Warmup

Bring the oven to a toasty 350 degrees. Prepare a jelly roll pan with a light coating to prevent sticking.

• Butter Bliss

Blend softened butter and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, fluffy mixture.

• Egg Magic

Gently fold in eggs one by one, then swirl in vanilla and almond extracts for a dreamy flavor profile.

• Flour Foundation

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt with a gentle whisk.

• Batter Harmony

Slowly marry the dry ingredients into the creamy butter mixture until perfectly united.

• Layer Love

Set aside a small portion of batter. Spread the remaining batter across the pan. Blanket with luscious cherry pie filling, then dot the reserved batter on top.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 40 minutes. Let the bars cool and settle for about 15 minutes.

• Glaze Finale

Whip up a silky glaze by blending powdered sugar with milk. Drizzle this sweet cascade over the cooled bars.

Cooking Advice and Mix-Ins for Cherry Almond Bars

• Baking Magic Tricks: Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better bar texture.
• Fruit Swap Potential: Replace cherry pie filling with raspberry or blueberry for delightful flavor variations.
• Make-Ahead Genius: These bars stay fresh up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Topping Transformations: Sprinkle sliced almonds or a light dusting of powdered sugar over the glaze for extra crunch and visual appeal.
• Storage Wisdom: Cool bars completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat slices that won't crumble.

Heavenly Cherry Almond Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Cherry almond delight bars combine sweet cherries and nutty almonds in a rich, layered dessert. Crumbly shortbread base and silky filling create a perfect balance you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (226 g) butter, soft
• 1 ¾ cups (350 g) sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (313 g) flour
• 1 ½ cups (425 g) cherry pie filling
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) milk

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and generously spray a jelly roll pan with non-stick coating to prevent sticking.
2. Creaming: Vigorously blend softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth, airy base for the dessert.
3. Wet Ingredients: Gently introduce eggs one by one, then fold in vanilla and almond extracts to enhance the flavor profile.
4. Dry Mixture: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt to eliminate any potential clumps and ensure even ingredient distribution.
5. Batter Formation: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until a uniform consistency is achieved without overmixing.
6. Layer Construction: Reserve 1 1/2 cups of batter, then spread the remaining mixture evenly across the prepared pan as the foundational layer.
7. Cherry Distribution: Carefully spread cherry pie filling over the base, ensuring complete and consistent coverage.
8. Marbling Effect: Artfully dot the reserved batter across the cherry layer, creating an appealing, rustic appearance.
9. Baking Process: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
10. Finishing Touches: Allow bars to cool for 15 minutes to set, then craft a silky glaze by whisking powdered sugar and milk together, and drizzle elegantly over the cooled dessert.

Notes

Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to maintain a tender, light texture and avoid tough, dense bars.

Batter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smooth blending and optimal cake-like consistency.

Cherry Distribution Technique: Spread pie filling evenly and gently to create a consistent fruity layer throughout the dessert.

Cooling is Crucial: Let bars rest for 15 minutes after baking to set structure and make cutting cleaner and more precise.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 307
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg