Description
These Quick & Easy Cherry Crumble Bars are the perfect mix of buttery, crumbly, and fruity. With a golden crust, jammy cherry filling, and crisp crumble topping, they’re everything you love about cherry pie — in a fuss-free, hand-held bar. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or sweet afternoon cravings.
Ingredients
For the Crumble Base & Topping:
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 large egg
1–2 tbsp milk
For the Cherry Filling:
3 cups cherries, pitted and halved (fresh or frozen, thawed and drained)
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Add-Ins:
¼ tsp almond extract
¼ cup rolled oats (for extra crunch)
¼ cup chopped nuts (almonds or pecans)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Make the Crumble: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, both sugars, baking powder, and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or fingertips until crumbly. Mix in the egg and milk until the mixture holds together when pinched.
Press the Crust: Press two-thirds of the crumble into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Cook the Filling: In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until thickened and glossy (about 5–7 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and almond extract (if using).
Assemble: Spread the cherry filling over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough on top, adding oats or nuts if desired.
Bake: Bake for 32–36 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges.
Cool & Serve: Cool completely before slicing into bars. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
For gluten-free bars, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
For dairy-free, use cold vegan butter.
These bars freeze beautifully — wrap individually and store up to 3 months.
Cool fully before cutting for clean, bakery-style slices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 235 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: cherry crumble bars, cherry dessert, easy crumble bars, summer dessert, fruit bars
