What kind of butter should I use for making Christmas Cherry Bars?

For Christmas Cherry Bars, you can use either salted or unsalted butter. However, it's important to use softened butter rather than melted or cold, as softened butter blends better with the sugar and other ingredients to create a tender, crumbly texture in the bars. If you use salted butter, you might want to reduce or omit any additional salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty flavor.

Can I leave out salt when baking cherry bars, and how will it affect the taste?

Salt in cherry bars helps to balance and enhance the sweetness of the cherry filling and the crust. While you can omit salt if you are reducing sodium for health reasons, doing so may result in a slightly less flavorful bar. If you choose to leave it out, consider adding a little extra almond extract or vanilla to maintain flavor depth.

What size eggs are best to use in cherry bar recipes?

Large eggs are the standard size called for in most cherry bar recipes. Using large eggs helps maintain the right balance of moisture and structure in the batter. Using smaller or larger eggs may affect the texture and consistency, so if you only have a different size available, adjust the quantity accordingly.

Is almond extract the only option for flavoring Christmas Cherry Bars?

While almond extract pairs especially well with cherry flavors by complementing their natural tartness, you can also experiment with vanilla extract or even a hint of lemon extract for a different but delicious twist. Start with about 1 teaspoon of extract to avoid overpowering the cherry taste.

Can I substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings in this recipe?

Yes, you can replace cherry pie filling with a variety of other fruit fillings such as blueberry, peach, apple, or mixed berry. Choose fillings with a similar consistency and sweetness level to ensure the bars bake evenly and have a balanced flavor. For best results, avoid overly watery fillings, as they may affect the crust's texture.

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe With Fresh Cherries And Easy Crust

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup softened butter

2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon almond extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

21 ounces cherry pie filling

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 tablespoons 2% milk

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Instructions

1-First, set your oven to 350°F (177°C) and get a 15 x 10 inch or 9 x 13 inch pan ready with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt until it’s light and fluffy that’s the base of your easy homemade crust. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well each time, then stir in the almond extract for that extra pop.

2-Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour on low speed until everything combines smoothly. Now, blend in the cinnamon and nutmeg by hand for a warm, festive touch. Pour about three cups of the batter into your pan and smooth it out evenly, then spoon the cherry pie filling over it and spread gently.

3-Drop the rest of the batter randomly on top, and slide it into the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown, then let it cool completely in the pan. For the glaze, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, almond extract, and milk until smooth, adjusting the milk as needed. Drizzle it over the cooled bars, slice into squares, and serve up this homemade cherry bars delight.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍚 Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing and a smoother batter consistency
🍒 Cherry pie filling can be substituted with other fruit fillings like blueberry, peach, or apple for variety
🥛 Allow bars to cool completely before drizzling glaze to prevent it from melting and running off the bars

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Contains dairy, eggs, gluten

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 380
Sugar: 33
Sodium: 275
Fat: 13
Saturated Fat: 8
Unsaturated Fat: 4
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 61
Fiber: 1
Protein: 5
Cholesterol: 78