Oh, let me tell you about my absolute favorite holiday treat: Christmas cherry bars! These little gems are the perfect blend of buttery crumbly goodness and sweet, tart cherry filling. The moment you take a bite, it’s like a festive explosion in your mouth—seriously! I remember making these with my family every Christmas, filling the kitchen with laughter and the sweet smell of cherries baking away. It’s a tradition that just can’t be missed. Not only are they super easy to whip up, but they also make for a delightful dessert that everyone loves. Whether you’re sharing them at a holiday gathering or enjoying them with a warm cup of cocoa by the fire, Christmas cherry bars are sure to bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients List
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun! Here’s what you’ll need to create your delicious Christmas cherry bars:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature for easy mixing)
- 1 cup cherry pie filling (the star of the show!)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (because everything’s better with vanilla)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder (to give those bars a nice lift)
- 1/4 tsp salt (just a pinch to balance the sweetness)
Make sure to have everything measured and ready to go before you start mixing. It’ll make the process smooth and oh-so-enjoyable! Trust me, the key to a fantastic bake is all in the prep.
How to Prepare Christmas Cherry Bars
Alright, let’s dive into the deliciousness of making these Christmas cherry bars! Follow these steps, and I promise you’ll end up with a festive treat that everyone will adore.
Preheat the Oven
First things first, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because a properly heated oven ensures that your bars bake evenly and turn that gorgeous golden color. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than underbaked bars!
Prepare the Crust
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and softened butter. Mix it all together until it’s crumbly—think of it as creating a beautiful sandy beach! Once you’ve got that texture, press about half of this mixture into a greased baking pan. Make sure it’s even and compact, as this will be the base of our cherry bars!
Add the Cherry Pie Filling
Now comes the fun part—spread that cherry pie filling over the crust. Don’t be shy! Make sure it’s evenly distributed so every bite has that sweet, tangy cherry goodness. This filling is the heart of our bars, after all!
Mix the Egg Mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt. This mixture will give your bars that lovely lift and flavor. It’s like adding a secret ingredient to make everything just a bit more magical!
Assemble the Bars
Pour this egg mixture over the cherry filling, spreading it gently to cover the cherries. Then, take the remaining crumb mixture and sprinkle it on top. This will create a lovely crumbly topping that adds texture and sweetness!
Bake and Cool
Pop your pan into the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Oh, the smell of these bars baking will make your kitchen feel like a holiday wonderland! Once they’re done, let them cool in the pan before cutting into bars. Cooling is essential; it allows everything to set up just right, making for perfect slices!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick prep time: You can whip these up in just about 15 minutes, leaving you more time to enjoy the holiday festivities!
- Festive flavor: The combination of buttery crust and sweet cherry filling creates a delightful treat that screams Christmas cheer.
- Easy to share: These bars are perfect for parties or gatherings—just cut them into squares and watch them disappear!
- Kid-friendly: Everyone, young and old, loves these sweet cherry bars. They’re a hit with the whole family!
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare them a day or two in advance, making your holiday baking a breeze.
- Beautiful presentation: Their golden topping and vibrant cherry filling make for an eye-catching dessert that’s sure to impress.
- Versatile: Feel free to swap out the cherry filling for your favorite fruit jam or pie filling for a fun twist!
Tips for Success
Now that you’re ready to bake, let me share some of my favorite tips to ensure your Christmas cherry bars turn out absolutely perfect every time!
- Use chilled butter: For the crust, I recommend using chilled butter. It helps create that lovely crumbly texture that makes these bars so delicious. Just take it out of the fridge right before you start measuring!
- Don’t overmix: When you’re mixing the flour, sugar, and butter, be careful not to overmix. You want it to be crumbly, not a sticky dough. Think of it as a gentle massage for your ingredients!
- Spread evenly: When adding the cherry pie filling, make sure to spread it evenly across the crust. This ensures every bite has that delightful cherry flavor and no one gets left out of the good stuff!
- Cool properly: Remember to let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting. If you’re too eager and cut them while they’re warm, they might crumble apart. Patience is key here!
- Experiment with flavors: Don’t hesitate to try different pie fillings! While cherry is a classic, swapping in blueberry or apple can give a fun twist to this recipe. Get creative and find your favorite!
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to making the most delightful Christmas cherry bars that everyone will adore!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve enjoyed your delicious Christmas cherry bars, you’ll want to store any leftovers properly to keep them fresh and tasty! Simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for about 4-5 days—if they last that long, that is!
For the best flavor, I recommend chilling the bars before serving. It really enhances the sweetness of the cherries and the crumbly crust. If you’re feeling indulgent, a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on top of a chilled bar makes for a heavenly treat!
If you find yourself with a lot of bars left over (which, let’s be honest, is a win!), you can also freeze them. Just wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll be good for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight. No need to reheat—just enjoy them chilled for a refreshing bite!
Nutritional Information
Alright, let’s talk numbers! Here’s the estimated nutritional information for each delightful serving of Christmas cherry bars (that’s one bar, folks!). Keep in mind that these values can vary a bit depending on the specific ingredients you use. But this should give you a good idea of what you’re indulging in:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 10g
So, whether you’re indulging in these bars after dinner or sneaking a piece with your morning coffee (I won’t tell!), you can enjoy them with a little insight into what’s in them. Happy baking and enjoy every delicious bite!
FAQ Section
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries can be a delightful substitute. Just keep in mind that they’re not as sweet as pie filling, so you might want to toss them with a little sugar—about 1/4 cup should do the trick—to enhance their natural sweetness. Let them sit for a bit to release some juices before spreading them over the crust.
How can I make these bars gluten-free?
Making these bars gluten-free is super easy! Simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure to choose one that has a good balance of ingredients, as this will help maintain the texture and flavor. I’ve had great success with blends that include a mix of rice flour and almond flour!
What can I serve with Christmas cherry bars?
These cherry bars are delicious on their own, but if you want to elevate them, consider serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A drizzle of chocolate sauce also adds a lovely touch! They pair beautifully with a warm beverage, like hot cocoa or spiced cider, for a cozy holiday treat.
How long do the bars last?
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your Christmas cherry bars will last about 4-5 days. Just be prepared—they might disappear faster than that if you’re sharing them with family and friends!
Can I freeze Christmas cherry bars?
You sure can! Freezing these bars is a great way to save some for later. Just wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and then store them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them in the fridge overnight. No need to reheat—just enjoy them chilled for a refreshing taste!
Drucken
Christmas Cherry Bars: 7 Festive Bites to Savor
- Gesamtzeit: 50 minutes
- Ertrag: 12 bars 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Delicious cherry bars perfect for Christmas.
Zutaten
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Anweisungen
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly.
- Press half of the mixture into a greased baking pan.
- Spread cherry pie filling over the crust.
- In another bowl, mix the egg, vanilla, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the mixture over the cherry filling.
- Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden.
- Let cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Best served chilled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 35 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 bar
- Kalorien: 150
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 50mg
- Fett: 7g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterin: 30mg
Keywords: christmas cherry bars, cherry dessert, holiday baking
