Christmas Cherry Bars
These buttery Christmas Cherry Bars are topped with cherry filling and almond glaze. A crowd-pleasing treat perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cans 21 oz each cherry pie filling
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 –3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy.
Add the Eggs and Extracts
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
Incorporate the Flour
- Gradually add the flour to the mixture, mixing until fully combined and a soft dough forms.
Layer and Assemble
- Spread about 3 cups of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough. Drop the remaining dough in small spoonfuls over the top of the cherries.
Bake
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the dough is cooked through. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Make the Glaze
- In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and just enough milk to create a smooth, drizzle-friendly consistency.
Drizzle and Slice
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars. Once set, cut into squares or rectangles and serve.