Christmas Cherry Bars

The Christmas Cherry Bars are a delightful dessert that brings festive cheer to any holiday table. This sweet concoction is made with rich cherry pie filling, layered between a buttery crust and a crumbly topping, exuding warmth and joy with every bite. The dish does not have a singular point of origin but seems to be a merry adaptation of traditional fruit bars, infused with the spirit of Christmas. Its bright red color makes this dessert especially fitting for the season, drawing on the association of cherries with joy and abundance, and the bars are a popular choice for holiday gatherings, gift exchanges, and cozy evenings by the fire.

Serving Christmas Cherry Bars can be a joyous affair in itself. They can be presented as a standalone treat, dusted lightly with powdered sugar to evoke a winter wonderland aesthetic, or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delectable contrast. For a touch of extravagance, drizzle a bit of dark chocolate over the top before serving. A cup of hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a glass of milk would complement the sweet tartness of the cherries beautifully, forging a quintessential holiday flavor palette. These bars also pair splendidly with savory nibbles or finger sandwiches if included as part of a larger holiday buffet or tea time spread.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of butter, softened

2 cups of sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

For the glaze (optional):

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tbsp milk

½ tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Prepare the Base: Spread 3 cups of batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Add Cherry Filling: Carefully spread the cherry pie filling over the batter.

Top Layer: Drop the remaining batter in small clumps over the filling.

Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool: Cool completely on a wire rack.

Vanilla Glaze (Optional)

Mix Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Drizzle: Once the cherry bars are completely cooled, drizzle the vanilla glaze over them.

Serve: Cut into bars and serve after the glaze has set.

Enjoy these scrumptious Christmas Cherry Bars as a festive highlight to your holiday season!