Indulge in the joy of creating these festive Christmas bars! The response from everyone was pure excitement!
Celebrate the holiday season with Christmas Cherry Bars, a heartwarming dessert perfect for infusing any occasion with a festive spirit. These bars feature a delightful cherry pie filling nestled between layers of a decadent, buttery crust and a crumbly topping, delivering a burst of happiness in every bite. While their origin is not tied to a specific tradition, these bars offer a delightful twist on classic fruit bars, capturing the essence of Christmas. The vibrant red cherries not only add to their visual appeal but also symbolize joy and abundance, making them a perfect choice for the festive season.
Presenting Christmas Cherry Bars can be as enjoyable as savoring them. Dust them with powdered sugar for a snowy effect, or indulge further by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a touch of luxury, drizzle dark chocolate over the top. These bars pair exceptionally well with hot cocoa, spiced cider, or milk, complementing the tartness of the cherries and creating a timeless holiday flavor experience. They also make a delightful addition to a holiday buffet or tea party, pairing seamlessly with savory snacks or finger sandwiches.
Christmas Cherry Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup softened butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
Optional Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the creamed mixture.
- Spread 3 cups of the batter in the prepared pan.
- Carefully layer with cherry pie filling.
- Drop the remaining batter in clumps over the filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Optional Vanilla Glaze:
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Drizzle over the cooled cherry bars.
Cut into bars, serve once the glaze sets, and enjoy these delightful Christmas Cherry Bars—a festive treat guaranteed to brighten your holiday celebrations!
