Cherry Crumb Bars
Oh my gosh, Cherry Crumb Bars are awesome. These lovely fruit-filled bar-type cookies are the ultimate in cherry desserts. These bars start with a crumb crust and topping. They’re filled with fresh cherries and almond and vanilla flavorings for maximum flavor. Then the topping is sprinkled with sugar before baking. Yum, yum, and triple yum.
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It’s hard to go wrong with cherry desserts. When I was asked to be a #Canbassador for Northwest Cherry Growers back in June, I was delighted. While no money exchanged hands, I was given twenty pounds of delicious plump cherries to use as I desired. I made ten different mouthwatering and delicious recipes with the cherries. Many of the recipes came from peach dessert recipes I made three to four years ago when we had a stand of peach trees in our back yard. The conversion to cherry desserts instead of peaches was really easy. In most cases, I opted for almond flavoring instead of cinnamon or nutmeg. Everything turned out incredibly scrumptious.
Cherry Crumb Bars is the last of the ten cherry recipes to post. If you’re looking for some great cherry recipes, check these out. Cherry Crumb Coffee Cake – perfect for a summer breakfast. Cherry Cream Cheese Pound Cake – a mouthwatering dessert that’s moist and so delicious. These cakes were a big hit with my neighbors. Southern Cherry Cobbler – this was a treat for our Friday night care group. Cherry Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies – I loved these cookies and they really just seem to dissolve in your mouth. Cherry Almond Ooey Gooey Blondies – these got sent out to John’s office where they were greatly enjoyed.
Cherry White Chocolate Chip Blondies – also got sent out to John’s office where they drooled over these jewels. Cherry Cobbler Cookies – taste just like eating Cherry Cobbler but in cookie form! Cherry Cobbler Bars – got sent with John for a visit he made. These were amazing. Cherry Pie Bars – were so scrumptious. These got sent to a friend when John visited him in the hospital after knee replacement surgery. Finally, these Cherry Crumb Bars got taken down the street to some new neighbors who just moved in. They were delighted to have such scrumptious treats after a hard day of moving into a new house.
Yes, cherries are wonderful in a dessert. You need to try one of these terrific desserts this summer. I recommend you make one of them before cherries become scarce in the grocery stores. And by all means, give these luscious, drool-worthy Cherry Crumb Bars a go. You’ll be so glad you did.
Cherry Crumb Bars are sensational.
Seriously, you’ll be drooling over these amazing bars after the first bite.
This delicious dessert is terrific for tailgating parties, potlucks or summer holiday fun.
Here’s what I did.
I used these ingredients for the cherry layer.
Halve and pit cherries. Add lemon juice.
Place UNBLEACHED flour in a bowl. Add sugar, cornstarch, salt, almond and vanilla extracts. Stir well to combine.
Add flour mixture to cherries in bowl.
Stir to combine. Set aside.
I used these ingredients for the streusel/topping layers.
Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir well to combine. Cut in blender with a pastry blender.
Coarse crumbs will form after working the cold butter into the flour mixture.
Stir vanilla, almond extract and egg together in a bowl.
Pour egg mixture into flour mixture.
Stir with a wooden spoon and combine as well as you can.
Press half of the flour mixture into a greased 9×13″ glass baking dish.
Cover with cherry layer.
Sprinkle remaining streusel over top of the cherry layer. Pat gently so crumbs adhere to cherry layer.
Sprinkle with remaining sugar.
Bake at 375 for 45-60 minutes until mixture bubbles up around the edges of dish and crust is lightly browned.
Cherry Crumb Bars are so delectable.
If you enjoy cherries, this dessert is for you!
The gooeyness from the cherries is delightful. The wonderful flavorings from the almond and vanilla extracts make this a terrific dessert.
Here’s the recipe.
CHERRY CRUMB BARS
(My own concoction)
Cherry Crumb Bars
Equipment
- 1 9x13" glass baking dish
- 1 cherry pitter or sharp knife to pit cherries
- 1 spatula
- 2 large mixing bowls
- 2 wooden spoons
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 whisk
- 1 pastry blender
Ingredients
CHERRY FILLING:
- 5 cups cherries pitted and halved
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 cup UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
CRUST AND STREUSEL TOPPING:
- 3 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter cold
- 1 large egg slightly beaten
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
CHERRY FILLING:
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Spray a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- To make cherry filling: Pit and halve the fresh cherries.
- Place the cherries in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice.
- Toss gently to combine.
- In a separate bowl, stir flour, cornstarch, granulated sugar, salt and both extracts and combine.
- Pour dry ingredient mixture over the cherries and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
- Set aside.
CRUST AND STREUSEL TOPPING:
- To make the Crust and Streusel Topping: In a large bowl whisk together the flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until butter is mixed in and coarse crumbs have formed.
- Stir the vanilla, almond extract and beaten egg together.
- Add into the flour and butter mixture and combine.
- Mixture will be crumbly.
- Pat half of the crust ingredients into the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the cherry mixture evenly over the bottom crust.
- Crumble the remaining crust ingredients over the cherry layer as a streusel topping.
- Pat gently with hands so crumbs adhere to cherries.
- Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar over top of streusel topping.
- Bake at 375° for 45-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and cherry juice starts to bubble up around the edges.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
Nutrition
Cherry Crumb Bars make delicious treats for summer potlucks, reunions or grilling out with friends.
We loved this amazing dessert.
These bar-type cookies are ooey, gooey and delicious!
Better make Cherry Crumb Bars soon–before cherries go out of season.
You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!
Cherry Almond Ooey Gooey Blondies
Cherry Crumb Bars
Equipment
- 1 9×13" glass baking dish
- 1 cherry pitter or sharp knife to pit cherries
- 1 spatula
- 2 large mixing bowls
- 2 wooden spoons
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- 1 whisk
- 1 pastry blender
Ingredients
CHERRY FILLING:
- 5 cups cherries pitted and halved
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 cup UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
CRUST AND STREUSEL TOPPING:
- 3 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter cold
- 1 large egg slightly beaten
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
CHERRY FILLING:
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Spray a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- To make cherry filling: Pit and halve the fresh cherries.
- Place the cherries in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice.
- Toss gently to combine.
- In a separate bowl, stir flour, cornstarch, granulated sugar, salt and both extracts and combine.
- Pour dry ingredient mixture over the cherries and stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
- Set aside.
CRUST AND STREUSEL TOPPING:
- To make the Crust and Streusel Topping: In a large bowl whisk together the flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until butter is mixed in and coarse crumbs have formed.
- Stir the vanilla, almond extract and beaten egg together.
- Add into the flour and butter mixture and combine.
- Mixture will be crumbly.
- Pat half of the crust ingredients into the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the cherry mixture evenly over the bottom crust.
- Crumble the remaining crust ingredients over the cherry layer as a streusel topping.
- Pat gently with hands so crumbs adhere to cherries.
- Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar over top of streusel topping.
- Bake at 375° for 45-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and cherry juice starts to bubble up around the edges.
- Cool completely before cutting into bars.
32 Comments
Jayne
July 25, 2023 at 10:59 am
Hi,
Recipe looks delicious. I have two questions. Do I have to use unsalted butter? Can I use a disposable aluminum pan? Thank you, Jayne
Teresa Ambra
July 26, 2023 at 9:46 pm
Hi Jayne. You can use salted butter if you prefer. Yes, you can bake it in a disposable aluminum pan. Enjoy.
Ronda
July 5, 2023 at 8:23 am
Can you dried sweet cherries in this recipe? Maybe after they’re rehydrated?
Teresa Ambra
July 5, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Hi Ronda. I would give it a try. Add the same amount of cherries to very hot water. Allow to steep about 15-20 minutes. Drain thoroughly and pat cherries dry with paper towels before using in recipe. Enjoy.
Lynne
June 23, 2023 at 9:18 am
My Bunco friend brought this recipe to our Bunco group and it was a big hit!! It was so delicious! Thank you for an amazing recipe!
Teresa Ambra
June 25, 2023 at 9:36 pm
Hi Lynne. I’m so glad your Bunco group loved these goodies. Cherry anything is a real indulgence in my book! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and letting me know.
Carla
June 19, 2023 at 5:28 pm
These bars are absolutely delicious! My family said they were better than cherry pie. I’m so glad I found this recipe!
Teresa Ambra
June 20, 2023 at 9:39 am
Hi Carla. Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed the bars! Cherries are in season now so it’s a real treat to make goodies like these with them. 🙂
Kelly
May 31, 2021 at 6:36 pm
These are amazing! I’m trying the recipe again with frozen cherries, since others had luck using them, and way easier than pitting fresh cherries. No one in our family could walk by the pan without taking another piece. So delicious! The only change I made was using fresh lemon juice.
Teresa
June 3, 2021 at 7:21 am
Hi,Kelly, so happy your family enjoyed these delicious goodies. Thanks for sharing.
CHERRY CRUMB BARS – Chefrecipes
May 12, 2020 at 9:32 am
[…] Complete Instructîons at cantstayoutofthekitchen.com […]
Robin
April 7, 2020 at 11:17 am
Made this today with frozen cherries. It was amazing! Our new favorite! Thank you💕
Teresa
April 8, 2020 at 1:08 pm
So glad you enjoyed it, Robin. It’s good to know frozen cherries will work in the recipe too. Have a great week.
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Dusty Knaebe
November 13, 2018 at 9:05 pm
These look like dark sweet cherries; are they sweet or the tart cherries usually used for baking?
Teresa
November 14, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Hi, Dusty. These were fresh dark sweet cherries used during peak season. I’m sure you can substitute canned or frozen cherries. However, I would make sure frozen cherries are thawed and dried thoroughly and canned cherries are also rinsed and patted dry before using in the recipe.
Mary
November 12, 2018 at 5:38 pm
This looks so delicious. Could I use frozen cherries?
Teresa
November 12, 2018 at 6:14 pm
Hey Mary. Yes you can, but I would defrost them and make sure you wipe them as dry as possible with paper towels before using. Otherwise, they will add too much liquid to the recipe.
Julia
November 2, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Can I use shortening instead of butter? Thank you!
Teresa
November 3, 2018 at 8:33 am
Yes, you can Julia, but it will have a slightly different taste – probably more like pie crust. But it will probably not effect the deliciousness of the recipe. 🙂
Kathy
August 26, 2018 at 11:57 am
Why won’t this let you print
Teresa
August 26, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Hey, Kathy. Are you clicking on the blue printer icon in the actual recipe card? If you click on “print recipe” underneath the icon, it should print. I’m not having any problems with it.
Chante’
August 25, 2018 at 11:58 am
Can you use canned cherries for the cherry crumb bars ?
Teresa
August 25, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Hi, Chante. You can use canned cherries, but it will probably take about 3 16-oz. cans to get the right volume. Also, most canned cherries are halved, not diced. I would rinse and drain the cherries, then pat them down really well with paper towels before using. P.S. This will save a lot of time not pitting cherries. It also makes this dessert available during other months of the year. Hope it works out well for you.
Shereegarcia
August 25, 2018 at 9:37 am
How much corn starch do I use? Thank you.
Teresa
August 25, 2018 at 10:06 am
Hi Sheree, so sorry I omitted the cornstarch ingredient. It is one teaspoon. I’ve corrected the recipe. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Cindy Darling
August 25, 2018 at 7:55 am
On the Cherry Crumb Bars it pictures cornstarch but doesn’t list it in ingredients, just wondering how much to add. .
Teresa
August 25, 2018 at 10:07 am
Hi Cindy. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’ve corrected the recipe. It should be one teaspoon cornstarch. Have a great weekend.
Julia
August 20, 2018 at 1:23 pm
These look scrumptious! Love cherry and almond together 😀