Some desserts carry a little bit of nostalgia with every bite. For me, anything cherry instantly brings back memories of cozy kitchens, well-loved recipe cards, and that unmistakable aroma of something sweet baking in the oven. While I’ll always admire a beautifully crimped pie, I’ll happily admit that pie bars are my love language—especially when they deliver all the flavor with half the effort.
These Glazed Cherry Pie Bars have everything I crave: a soft, buttery shortbread-style base, generous layers of sweet cherry pie filling, and a simple almond-scented glaze that pulls it all together. They’re easy, crowd-friendly, and perfect for anyone who wants classic pie vibes without wrestling with dough.
Why You’ll Love These Cherry Pie Bars
- Easier than making a traditional pie
- Soft, buttery crust that stays tender
- Sweet cherry filling with just the right balance
- Almond extract adds a bakery-style flavor
- Makes a big batch—perfect for parties and holidays
If you’ve loved desserts like blueberry pie bars or cherry-almond baked treats, this one fits right in.
What’s in Glazed Cherry Pie Bars?
You’ll need a handful of classic baking staples plus one shortcut ingredient that makes these bars wonderfully simple.
For the Bars
- Unsalted butter – Softened for a rich, tender base
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens and helps create a soft crumb
- Salt – Balances the sweetness
- Large eggs – Room temperature for smoother mixing
- Vanilla extract – Warm, classic flavor
- Almond extract – The secret ingredient that pairs beautifully with cherry
- All-purpose flour – Forms the soft, buttery crust
- Canned cherry pie filling – Two cans for generous layers
For the Glaze
- Confectioners’ sugar – Creates a smooth drizzle
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- Milk – Adjusts the glaze consistency
Tip: Almond extract is potent. If you love it, you can increase it slightly—but a little truly goes a long way.
How to Make Cherry Pie Bars
These bars come together quickly and are very forgiving, making them ideal for beginner and seasoned bakers alike.
1. Make the dough
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Blend in the vanilla and almond extracts.
Gradually add the flour and mix just until incorporated. The dough will be thick and sticky—this is exactly what you want.
2. Build the layers
Spread about three-quarters of the dough into a prepared pan. The dough is tacky, so take your time spreading it evenly into the corners.
Spoon the cherry pie filling over the dough, spreading evenly but leaving a small border around the edges. Drop the remaining dough over the top in small scoops—it will spread as it bakes.
3. Bake and cool
Bake until the top is lightly golden. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before glazing—this helps them set and slice cleanly.
4. Glaze and serve
Whisk together the glaze ingredients until smooth, then drizzle generously over the cooled bars. Serve as-is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly special treat.
Recipe FAQs
Do I need to use a jelly roll pan?
No, but it works beautifully. A 15×10×1-inch jelly roll pan keeps the bars from being too thick. A 9×13-inch pan also works—just expect thicker bars and a slightly longer bake time.
How long do cherry pie bars last?
Stored in an airtight container:
- Room temperature: up to 5 days
- Refrigerator: up to 1 week
The crust will soften slightly over time, which many people actually love.
Can I freeze cherry pie bars?
Yes! Wrap individual bars tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or bring to room temperature before serving.
Glazed Cherry Pie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (or up to ½ teaspoon if desired)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling
Glaze
- 1¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Bars
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 15×10×1-inch jelly roll pan with cooking spray. Optional: line with foil and spray for easier removal.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
- Gradually add flour and mix until just combined.
- Spread about 75% of the dough evenly into the pan.
- Spread cherry pie filling over the dough, leaving a ¼-inch border around the edges.
- Drop remaining dough in small spoonfuls over the filling.
- Bake for 35 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Glaze
- Whisk confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle over cooled bars, slice, and serve.
These Glazed Cherry Pie Bars bring all the charm of a classic cherry pie into an easy, sliceable dessert that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re baking for a holiday table, a potluck, or just because cherries sounded good today—this recipe delivers every single time. 🍒🥧