Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Cherry Almond Bars

Teresa Ambra

Cherry Almond Bars are gooey, gooey, fruit bars that are festive and beautiful for any occasion. While these make a great treat for the holidays, certainly you can make them anytime of the year. These blondies have a shortbread crust topped with cherry preserves and lots of sliced almonds. This is a splendid dessert for company. If you’re a cherry lover these bar-type cookies are an absolute delight.

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A few months ago I made up a salad that used cherry preserves in the salad dressing. I had those cherry preserves in the refrigerator so I was wondering what I could do to use them up. When I remade a batch of Apricot Almond Bars a few weeks ago, I realized that the same basic recipe would work well for cherries too. So I gave it a whirl. Yes, it was wonderful. Cherries and almonds always work well together.

Cherry Almond Bars are very gooey so I recommend freezing or refrigerating the bars before cutting. If you’re looking for a dream dessert for company, then this recipe needs to be on your list. Every bite will have you drooling. 🙂

I originally published this recipe in August 2016. This particular bar-type cookie is not the easiest to photograph and I wasn’t overly pleased with my pictures. I decided to remake the recipe (July 2023) for a photo feature that was being done for our neighborhood Lifestyle Magazine. I also added Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies since both cookies were going to be featured in a Christmas edition. After all the pictures were taken (by a photographer for the magazine), I dished up these jewels for neighbors and friends.

These Cherry Almond Bars are still some of my favorite cookies and really a wonderful dessert for tailgating parties, Christmas Cookie Exchanges, potlucks or any family gathering. If you enjoy cherries, swoon over every mouthful. Yum.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Cherry Almond Bars are festive treats that are especially terrific for the holidays.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

If you enjoy cherries, you’ll love these fruit-filled bars.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Cherry Almond Bars are a great dessert for any occasion. 

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

These little jewels will rock your world!

Here’s what I did.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

I used these ingredients for the shortbread crust.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Melt butter. I usually microwave it so that it’s half-way between softened and melted. That makes it easier to work into the crust dough. Add UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour. Bleached flour toughens baked goods. Add powdered sugar.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Stir ingredients with a fork to combine.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Grease a 9×13″ glass baking dish. Press crust ingredients firmly into prepared dish. Place in a 350 oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

I used these ingredients for the filling.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Meanwhile, as crust is baking prepare filling. Melt butter in a small to medium mixing bowl.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Add granulated sugar, egg, cherry preserves, and vanilla.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Whisk ingredients to combine.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Pour cherry filling into pre-baked crust.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Top with almonds.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Bake at 350 an additional 15-20 minutes until set. Cool completely. Refrigerate a few hours or overnight before cutting into bars.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Almonds make these bars nice and crunchy.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

If you take a tray of Cherry Almond Bars to your office, they will be gobbled down immediately.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

If you enjoy cherries, you’ll love these treats.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Well, you may not be able to finish off a stack this large, but these Cherry Almond Bars are sure delicious. 🙂

Here’s the recipe.

CHERRY ALMOND BARS

(Recipe inspired from my Apricot Almond Bars)

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Cherry Almond Bars

Teresa Ambra
Indulge yourself with these breathtaking Cherry Almond Bars! These amazing blondies have a shortbread crust, topped with a cherry preserve topping, and sprinkled with sliced almonds on top. They are beautiful, elegant and festive treats that are terrific for holiday baking like Christmas or Valentine's Day. Your family and friends will swoon over these treats no matter what occasion you make them for.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 169 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • 1 wooden spoon or fork
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened or melted
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 8-10 oz. jar cherry preserves
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter softened or melted
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 to 1 cup almonds sliced

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, stir flour, granulated sugar and butter.
  • Spread into the bottom and ½ inch up the sides of a 9x13” glass baking dish that has been sprayed well with cooking spray.
  • Bake at 350° oven for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • For topping, beat egg, granulated sugar, preserves, melted butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl with a whisk until smooth.
  • Spread evenly over hot crust.
  • Sprinkle with almonds.
  • Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes.
  • Cool.

Notes

NOTE: These bars are easier to cut if they are refrigerated an hour or so ahead of time.
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 7mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 203IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Keyword almonds, cherries, cherry dessert, cookie, dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Cherry Almond Bars[/b]
Recipe Type: Cookies, Brownies and Bars
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra – inspired by my [url href=”http://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2012/11/30/apricot-almond-bars/” target=”_blank”]Apricot Almond Bars[/url]
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 24
These amazing blondies have a shortbread crust, topped with a [url href=”http://www.smuckers.com/products/fruit-spreads/preserves/cherry-preserves” target=”_blank”]cherry preserve[/url] topping, and sprinkled with sliced[url href=”https://fishernuts.com/” target=”_blank”]almonds[/url] on top. These beautiful, festive treats are great for holiday baking.
Ingredients
  • [b]CRUST:[/b][br]
  • 1 ½ cups Gold Medal UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
  • ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened or melted[br]
  • [b]TOPPING:[/b][br]
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 8-10-oz. [url href=”http://www.smuckers.com/products/fruit-spreads/preserves/cherry-preserves” target=”_blank”]Smucker’s[/url] cherry preserves
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened or melted
  • ½ tsp. vanilla
  • ¾ to 1 cup sliced [url href=”https://fishernuts.com/” target=”_blank”]Fisher[/url] almonds
Instructions
  1. In a mixing bowl, stir flour, sugar and butter.
  2. Spread into the bottom and ½ inch up the sides of a 9×13” glass baking dish that has been sprayed well with cooking spray.
  3. Bake at 350° oven for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.
  4. For topping, beat egg, sugar, preserves, butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl until smooth.
  5. Spread evenly over hot crust.
  6. Sprinkle with almonds.
  7. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes.
  8. Cool.
Notes
These bars are much easier to cut if you freeze for one hour or refrigerate a couple of hours before serving.
Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Every bite of Cherry Almond Bars will have you drooling.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

We love these scrumptious bars and think you will too.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Prepare to swoon over every bite of these luscious cherry cookies.

Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Indulge yourself with these festive and beautiful bar-type cookies for your next tailgating party or potluck!

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Cheery Cherry Cookies

Cheery Cherry Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Cherry Surprises

Cherry Surprises | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these melt-in-your-mouth #cookies are absolutely spectacular. #CandiedCherries are hidden inside each #cookie before #baking. Then they're rolled in powdered sugar to serve. These heavenly cookies have been on our #ChristmasCookie baking list for decades! #dessert #Christmas #ChristmasDessert #cherry #CherryDessert #ChristmasCookieExchange

White Chocolate Cherry Cookies

White Chocolate Cherry Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these over-the-top #cookies will knock your socks off! They're filled with white #chocolate chips, #pecans & #candiedcherries. They're awesome for #holiday #baking & #Christmas #cookie exchanges. #dessert #cherrydessert #ChristmasDessert #whitechocolatedessert #chocolatedessert #whitechocolate
Cherry Almond Bars | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #Cherry #cookies use a #shortbread crust, #CherryPreserves in the filling & then they're topped with #almonds for a scrumptious treat everyone will enjoy. Great for #tailgating parties, #holiday #baking & a #ChristmasCookieExchange. #dessert #CherryDessert #CherryAlmondBars

Cherry Almond Bars

Teresa Ambra
Indulge yourself with these breathtaking Cherry Almond Bars! These amazing blondies have a shortbread crust, topped with a cherry preserve topping, and sprinkled with sliced almonds on top. They are beautiful, elegant and festive treats that are terrific for holiday baking like Christmas or Valentine's Day. Your family and friends will swoon over these treats no matter what occasion you make them for.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 169 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • 1 wooden spoon or fork
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened or melted
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 8-10 oz. jar cherry preserves
  • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter softened or melted
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 to 1 cup almonds sliced

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, stir flour, granulated sugar and butter.
  • Spread into the bottom and ½ inch up the sides of a 9×13” glass baking dish that has been sprayed well with cooking spray.
  • Bake at 350° oven for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • For topping, beat egg, granulated sugar, preserves, melted butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl with a whisk until smooth.
  • Spread evenly over hot crust.
  • Sprinkle with almonds.
  • Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes.
  • Cool.

Notes

NOTE: These bars are easier to cut if they are refrigerated an hour or so ahead of time.
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 7mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 203IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Keyword almonds, cherries, cherry dessert, cookie, dessert
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

3 Comments

  • The 21 Best Ideas for Christmas Cherry Cookies – Best Diet and Healthy Recipes Ever | Recipes Collection

    November 5, 2019 at 2:31 pm

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  • Rhonda

    December 24, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    You never specified amount of preserves so I used the 18 oz jar. Bars came out a liquid mess.

    1. Teresa

      December 24, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      Rhonda, I am so sorry. When I converted over to a new blog program not all the recipes converted correctly. The amount should have been 8-10 ounces. I’ve corrected the recipe. Again, sorry yours didn’t turn out right.

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