Introduction
Christmas is all about cozy flavors, sweet indulgence, and colorful desserts that brighten up the holiday table. Christmas Cherry Bars fit that spirit perfectly—golden buttery crust, sweet cherry filling, and a soft crumble topping dusted with sugar. These bars are a mix of classic shortbread and cherry pie, easy to cut and serve for a crowd. They’re festive, rich, and guaranteed to disappear quickly at family gatherings or cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
For the Base and Topping:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional but festive!)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
For the Filling:
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional, for warmth)
For Garnish:
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Optional: white chocolate drizzle or festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the Batter:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
- Mix in vanilla and almond extract.
- Gradually add flour and salt until combined.
- Layer the Bars:
- Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Spoon cherry pie filling over the batter and spread gently.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter on top (don’t worry if it doesn’t cover completely—the cherries peeking through make it festive).
- Bake: Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until golden brown on top and set in the center.
- Cool and Garnish:
- Let bars cool completely in the pan.
- Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with white chocolate, or sprinkle with red & green sprinkles for a Christmas touch.
- Cut and Serve: Slice into squares or bars.
Methods
- Creaming Method: Butter and sugar are creamed together to trap air and create a fluffy, tender texture.
- Layering: Using part of the batter as a base and part as a topping gives structure and a rustic, bakery-style look.
- Cooling: Important to let them set before cutting to avoid crumbling.
History
Cherry desserts have long been tied to celebrations—especially Christmas. In Europe, cherries were preserved in syrups and baked into festive treats. The idea of fruit bar desserts grew popular in America during the mid-20th century, when quick recipes using pie fillings became a holiday staple. These cherry bars are inspired by that tradition—easy, colorful, and crowd-friendly.
Benefits
- Festive & Shareable: Perfect for parties, potlucks, and cookie swaps.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and canned filling—easy to make last-minute.
- Customizable: You can swap cherry pie filling for raspberry, strawberry, or even a mix of red and green fillings for a holiday twist.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Tastes even better the next day as flavors settle.
Nutrition (per bar, approx. 1 of 24 servings)
- Calories: 210
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Sugar: 22g
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
(Values may vary depending on exact ingredients used.)
Lovers’ Notes
These bars are a hit for anyone who loves cherry pie but wants something easier to serve. Cherry lovers will adore the sweet-tart flavor, while even those who aren’t big on pie will enjoy the buttery crust. Pair with a cup of hot cocoa, mulled wine, or coffee for the ultimate Christmas indulgence.
Conclusion
Christmas Cherry Bars are a nostalgic, cheerful dessert that brings together the rich sweetness of buttery shortbread and the festive red of cherries. They’re easy to make, travel well, and feed a crowd—making them a must-have for your holiday table. If you want a dessert that looks stunning, tastes amazing, and makes people smile, this is it.
