These Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive, buttery, and fruity dessert that’s perfect for the holiday season! With a soft shortbread-like base, a luscious cherry filling, and a crumbly, golden topping, these bars are easy to make and great for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or gifting. The bright red cherries add a festive pop of color, making them a holiday must-have! 🍒🎄✨

Ingredients

For the Crust and Topping:

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional, but enhances the cherry flavor)
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt

For the Cherry Filling:

• 1 (21 oz / 595 g) can cherry pie filling
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional, for extra holiday warmth)

For the Glaze (Optional but Recommended):

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract

Directions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Crust and Topping

3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Stir in vanilla and almond extract.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
7. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Bars

8. Spread ⅔ of the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
9. Spread the cherry pie filling over the dough in an even layer.
10. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the cherry filling (it won’t fully cover it, but that’s okay—it creates a pretty, rustic look!).

Step 4: Bake the Bars

11. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
12. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before glazing.

Step 5: Make the Glaze (Optional but Delicious!)

13. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or almond extract until smooth.
14. Drizzle over the cooled bars.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

15. Cut into squares and enjoy! Perfect for holiday platters, gifting, or a festive dessert.

Notes

• Want extra crunch? Sprinkle sliced almonds or chopped pecans on top before baking.
• Use different fruit: Swap cherry pie filling for raspberry, strawberry, or apple.
• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
• Freezing: Freeze bars without the glaze for up to 2 months.

Why This Recipe Works

The buttery crust and crumbly topping balance perfectly with the sweet-tart cherry filling, creating a festive, bakery-style bar that’s easy to make and impossible to resist!

Conclusion

These Christmas Cherry Bars are a delicious, eye-catching holiday dessert that’s perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, and cookie trays. Simple, festive, and full of cherry goodness, they’ll quickly become a family favorite! 🎄🍒✨ Try them today and add a little holiday cheer to your dessert table!