These Cherry Pie Cookie Bars are a simple and delicious dessert that combines the sweet, fruity flavor of cherry pie filling with a soft and buttery cookie base. Made with just a handful of pantry ingredients, these easy bars come together in minutes and bake up beautifully into golden, fruit-topped squares that taste like cherry pie without any of the fuss.
Recipe Highlights
- All the flavor of cherry pie in bar form: These bars give you every bit of that classic cherry pie flavor without the work of making a crust or fussing with a pie plate.
- Just a handful of ingredients: Everything you need is simple and easy to find, including a can of cherry pie filling that does all the heavy lifting on flavor.
- Quick and easy to make: The dough comes together in about 10 minutes and the bars bake in just 30 minutes, making this a no-stress dessert for any occasion.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd: Baked on a large sheet pan and cut into 15 squares, these bars are ideal for potlucks, parties, holidays, and family gatherings.
- Soft and buttery texture: The cookie base is tender and rich with a slight chew that pairs perfectly with the sweet cherry topping.
Ingredients in Cherry Pie Cookie Bars
- Sugar: Sweetens the cookie base and helps create a soft, tender texture throughout the bars.
- Butter: Softened butter gives the dough its rich, buttery flavor and creates a moist, chewy crumb. Make sure it is fully softened before mixing for the best results.
- Eggs: Four eggs add structure and richness to the batter and help the bars bake up soft and thick.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet cherry topping.
- Almond extract: The secret ingredient in these bars. Almond extract enhances the cherry flavor in a way that tastes just like a classic cherry pie filling.
- All purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cookie base without making it dense or heavy.
- Cherry pie filling: One can of cherry pie filling is all you need for the topping. The cherries bake right into the dough, creating a jammy, fruity finish in every bite.
Tips for the Best Cherry Pie Cookie Bars
Full instructions for making the recipe can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Do not skip the almond extract: The combination of vanilla and almond extract is what gives these bars that unmistakable cherry pie flavor. It makes a huge difference and is worth having on hand.
- Soften the butter fully: Softened butter creams properly with the sugar to create the right texture in the dough. Cold butter will not incorporate evenly.
- Score the dough before adding the filling: Gently drawing lines on the surface of the dough before adding the cherry pie filling helps you place one heaping teaspoon per square so every bar gets an even amount of cherry topping.
- Do not cut all the way through the dough when scoring: The lines are just a guide for placing the filling, not actual cuts. Cutting through the dough will affect how the bars bake up.
- Let the bars cool completely before cutting: The bars will firm up as they cool and will slice much more cleanly once they have had time to set.
- Use a sharp knife for clean cuts: A sharp knife rather than a dull one will give you the cleanest, most even squares without dragging the cherry filling.
Storage Instructions
Store cherry pie cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days.
These bars also freeze well. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different pie filling? Yes, these bars work wonderfully with any flavor of pie filling. Blueberry, strawberry, and peach are all delicious variations using the same base recipe.
Do I have to use almond extract? Almond extract is strongly recommended because it enhances the cherry flavor in a way that tastes just like classic cherry pie, but it can be replaced with an equal amount of additional vanilla extract if needed.
Can I make these in a smaller pan? This recipe is designed for a 13×18 inch sheet pan. A smaller pan will make the bars thicker and may require additional baking time. Check for doneness by looking for a lightly golden edge and a set center.
How do I know when the bars are done baking? The bars are done when the edges are lightly golden and the center no longer looks wet or underbaked. A toothpick inserted into the cookie portion should come out clean.
Can I add a glaze or frosting? Yes! A simple powdered sugar glaze drizzled over the cooled bars adds a nice finishing touch. Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk and drizzle over the cooled bars before serving.
More Cookies You’ll Love
- Cherry Almond Cookie Bars: Buttery cookie bars packed with cherry and almond flavor in every bite. If you love the cherry almond combination in these pie bars, this recipe is a must-try.
- Cherry Pie Cookies: Sugar cookies filled with sweet cherry pie filling and drizzled with white chocolate. All the same cherry pie flavor in individual cookie form.
- Blackberry Cookies: Soft and chewy cookies bursting with fresh blackberry flavor. A perfect choice for anyone who loves a fruity, jammy cookie.
- Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies: Ultra-soft sugar cookies made with cream cheese for a tender, pillowy texture. A great base cookie that pairs beautifully with any fruit filling.
- Cake Mix Jello Cookies: Fun and festive cookies made with cake mix and Jello for a fruity, colorful treat. Use cherry Jello for a flavor that complements these pie bars perfectly.
These Cherry Pie Cookie Bars are one of those effortless desserts that look and taste impressive with very little work, and the cherry almond flavor combination makes them completely irresistible right from the first bite.
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