Cherry Bars are a perfect combination of sweet and tart, with a buttery, soft base and a tangy cherry filling that makes every bite a treat. These easy-to-make bars are ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or a simple dessert after dinner. The balance of fruit and sweetness, topped with a delicate crumble, makes them a crowd-pleasing dessert that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Base: In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, egg, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture forms a dough-like consistency. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
3. Layer the Cherry Filling: Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the dough base.
4. Make the Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir in 2 tablespoons of melted butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the cherry filling.
5. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbling.
6. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Notes

• Substitutions: If you prefer a different fruit filling, feel free to use blueberry, apple, or peach pie filling instead of cherry.
• Texture Variation: For a thicker crust, you can double the base dough and use a smaller pan (8×8-inch). Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.
• Sweetness Adjustment: If you prefer a sweeter bar, you can increase the amount of sugar in the base or crumble topping to your liking.
• Storage: Store leftover cherry bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

These Cherry Bars are simple to make, and their sweet-tart flavor is perfect for any occasion. They’re a great way to enjoy the flavor of cherry pie in a more portable, bite-sized treat!