Ingredients:
For the crust and topping:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the cherry filling:
- 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
Optional glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prepare the crust and topping:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar-egg mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half.
- Press one half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust layer.
- Crumble the remaining half of the dough over the cherry filling to create the topping.
- Assemble the bars:
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust layer.
- Sprinkle the crumbled dough evenly over the cherry filling.
- Bake:
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Optional glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.
- Serve:
- Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.
Enjoy your homemade cherry pie bars!