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Cozy Sour Cherry Pie Bars

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These cozy sour cherry pie bars feature a buttery crumble topping and a vibrant, tangy cherry filling. Perfect for quick homemade treats that balance sweet and tart flavors with a comforting, flaky texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (227 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 cups (600 g) sour cherries, pitted, fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ¾ cup sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add cold, cubed butter and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized bits.
  3. Press half the crumble mixture firmly into the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine sour cherries, ½ cup sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Stir gently until cherries are evenly coated and cornstarch is dissolved. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
  5. Spread the cherry filling evenly over the cooled crust.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the cherry filling without pressing down.
  7. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Check after 35 minutes to prevent over-browning.
  8. Cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2 hours or chill in the fridge for firmer slices.
  9. Cut into bars using a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts. Serve as is or with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Keep butter cold to ensure a flaky crumble topping. Pre-bake the crust to prevent sogginess. Let bars cool completely before slicing to maintain structure. Frozen sour cherries can be used but should be thawed and drained to avoid excess moisture. For a crispier topping, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: sour cherry pie bars, crumble topping, easy dessert, homemade bars, cherry dessert, quick baking, cozy dessert

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/cozy-sour-cherry-pie-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-crumble-topping/