Looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s easy to make, beautifully layered, and irresistibly delicious? These Cherry Bars for a Crowd are the answer. With buttery dough, sweet cherry pie filling, and a simple glaze on top, this dessert is ideal for large gatherings, holidays, or anytime you need a no-fuss treat that impresses.
Table of Contents
🧁 Why You’ll Love These Cherry Bars
- Made for Sharing – Baked in a jelly roll pan, this recipe yields a generous amount—perfect for potlucks, picnics, and parties.
- Simple Ingredients – Uses pantry staples like flour, butter, sugar, and canned cherry filling.
- Irresistible Flavor – The almond extract paired with the cherry filling creates a bakery-quality taste.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – These bars store and transport well, making them ideal for prepping the night before.
📋 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Bars:
- 1 ½ cups butter, softened
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 5 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract
- 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cans (21 oz. each) cherry pie filling
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
➤ Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12×17-inch jelly roll pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
➤ Step 2: Make the Dough
In a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (1–2 minutes). Add the salt, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract, and beat until fully mixed.
Next, add the flour and baking powder, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Reserve 1 ¾ cups of dough for the topping.
➤ Step 3: Assemble the Bars
Press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough layer. Drop spoonfuls of the reserved dough over the cherry filling.
➤ Step 4: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are lightly browned. Let the bars cool completely before glazing.
➤ Step 5: Add the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These cherry bars are fabulous on their own but can be elevated with:
- A dollop of whipped cream
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A sprinkle of slivered almonds
🧮 Nutrition & Calorie Information
Here’s a general breakdown for one serving (based on 36 bars total):
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 290 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sodium | 130 mg |
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and will vary based on brands and portion sizes.
💡 Tips for Success
- Don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the texture tender.
- Try other fillings like blueberry, raspberry, or apple for a twist.
- For a festive look, add colored sprinkles or slivered almonds before baking.
🎉 Make These Cherry Bars Today!
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, attending a bake sale, or simply want to treat your loved ones to something sweet, these Cherry Bars for a Crowd are guaranteed to be a hit. Quick to assemble and bursting with flavor, they might just become your go-to dessert for every special occasion.
👉 Don’t forget to save this recipe and share it with your friends!
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