Should you prebake the bottom crust of a cherry pie?

For traditional pies, prebaking the bottom crust can help prevent sogginess—but with these Easy Cherry Pie Bars, you can skip that step. The buttery dough bakes up beautifully all at once, creating a soft, golden crust that holds its shape without any fuss. I’ve never prebaked it, and the bars always turn out just right. However, if you’re using extra juicy homemade filling, a quick 8-minute prebake won’t hurt.

How to doctor up canned cherry pie filling?

I use canned cherry pie filling all the time, but I almost always give it a little love before spreading it on the dough. A splash of lemon juice adds brightness, while a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract brings depth and warmth. If I have them, I’ll fold in a handful of fresh or frozen cherries to boost texture and flavor. These little tricks make your Easy Cherry Pie Bars taste like they came straight from a bakery.

Do cherry pie bars need to be refrigerated?

These bars don’t need refrigeration if you plan to eat them within a day or two. I often leave them covered on the counter when we’re hosting friends or baking the night before a picnic. But if you’re making them ahead or storing leftovers, pop them in the fridge—they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. I just let them sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving to bring out the full flavor and texture.

How to pit cherries for pie filling?

If you’re making your own filling from scratch (and I totally support that!), pitting cherries is the only real labor—but it’s a satisfying one. I use a cherry pitter when I want speed, but if I’m in no rush, a sturdy straw or chopstick works too. Just push from the stem end until the pit pops out. It’s a little messy, sure—but also kind of fun, especially with kids helping.

Easy Cherry Pie Bars – Simple Recipe with Amazing Results

Name: Easy Cherry Pie Bars: A Classic Dessert Made Simple and Delicious
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: About 24 bars
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup softened butter; 1 cup sugar; 2 large eggs, room temp; 1 tsp almond extract; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ tsp salt; 1 (21 oz) can premium cherry pie filling; 1 cup confectioners’ sugar; 1 tsp almond extract (for glaze); ½ tsp vanilla extract (for glaze); Milk as needed (for glaze)

Description

These Easy Cherry Pie Bars are a crowd-pleasing dessert made with buttery dough, bright cherry filling, and a sweet almond glaze. Perfect for potlucks, parties, or anytime you want a simple homemade treat that looks impressive and tastes even better.

Ingredients

1 cup softened butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs, room temp

1 tsp almond extract

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt

1 (21 oz) can premium cherry pie filling

For glaze:

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 tsp almond extract

½ tsp vanilla extract

Milk as needed

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Stir in flour and salt to form soft dough.

Press half the dough into a greased 9×13-inch pan.

Spread cherry pie filling evenly over the base.

Dollop remaining dough across the top of the filling.

Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown.

Cool completely in pan.

Mix glaze ingredients to desired consistency.

Drizzle glaze over cooled bars, slice, and serve.

Notes

These cherry pie bars are perfect for any occasion—from potlucks to holiday celebrations. They’re beginner-friendly, requiring no fancy techniques but delivering bakery-style results. Pair them with a refreshing treat like our Fresh Cherry Sorbet for a complete cherry-themed dessert experience.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 185 kcal
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 65mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg