CHERRY BARS

Where are my pie fans at? I love a good homemade pie, but rarely have the effort to put one together. Enter cherry pie bars! Just as delicious as cherry pie, but with a fraction of the work.

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cans (21 oz.) cherry pie filling

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk

How To Make Cherry Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a jelly roll pan (12×17) with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar, about 1-2 minutes. Add salt, eggs, and vanilla and almond flavorings and continue stirring until fully incorporated.

Add flour and baking powder and mix until just combined. Reserve 1 3/4 cup of dough. Spread/Press remaining dough into the prepared baking pan. Top with cherry pie filling. Drop remaining batter in small pieces over the cherry filling.Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and place pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled prepare the glaze. Whisk together confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth and drizzle over the bars. Cut into 35 squares and serve.