Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive and delightful dessert, perfect for holiday celebrations. Imagine a three-layered treat that combines a variety of textures and flavors, each layer offering its own unique contribution to the overall experience.
The base layer, which forms the foundation of the bars, is a buttery, shortbread-like crust. This layer is typically made by blending together flour, butter, and sugar, resulting in a crumbly yet cohesive dough. Once pressed into a baking pan, it’s baked until it achieves a light golden-brown hue, offering a crisp, rich, and slightly sweet base.
The middle layer is where the cherries come into play, embodying the true spirit of Christmas. This layer often consists of a cherry pie filling, which provides a moist, fruity, and slightly tart contrast to the buttery base. The cherry filling is spread evenly over the cooled crust, creating a vibrant red layer that’s both visually appealing and delicious. Some recipes might include a twist, like adding almond extract or chunks of fresh cherries, to enhance the fruity flavor.
The final layer is a crumbly topping, made from a mixture similar to the base but often includes additional elements like chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts) for extra crunch and flavor. This topping is sprinkled over the cherry layer, adding a rustic and homemade appearance to the bars. When baked, this layer becomes lightly toasted, offering a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the sweet and tart cherry layer.
Once baked, the Christmas Cherry Bars are cooled and then cut into squares or rectangles. The result is a multi-textured dessert with a sturdy, crumbly base, a soft, sweet-tart cherry middle, and a crunchy, nutty top. These bars are often dusted with powdered sugar, adding a touch of extra sweetness and giving them a festive, snow-covered look.
Christmas Cherry Bars are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Their layers of contrasting colors – the golden brown crust, the bright red cherry, and the toasty crumble topping – make them a visually appealing addition to any holiday table. They’re perfect for sharing at holiday parties, gifting to friends and neighbors, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee as a special holiday treat. The combination of flavors and textures, along with their festive appearance, make Christmas Cherry Bars a beloved holiday dessert.
Ingredients:
1 cup of butter, softened
2 cups of sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
For the glaze (optional):
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well.
Prepare the Base: Spread 3 cups of batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Add Cherry Filling: Carefully spread the cherry pie filling over the batter.
Top Layer: Drop the remaining batter in small clumps over the filling.
Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool: Cool completely on a wire rack.
Vanilla Glaze (Optional)
Mix Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Drizzle: Once the cherry bars are completely cooled, drizzle the vanilla glaze over them.
Serve: Cut into bars and serve after the glaze has set.
Enjoy these scrumptious Christmas Cherry Bars as a festive highlight to your holiday season!
