Name: Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup softened unsalted butter; 2 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling; 1 cup powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract; 2 tablespoons milk

Jump to Recipe·5 from 53 reviews

If you’re craving a dessert that’s both nostalgic and totally irresistible, you’re going to flip for this Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze Recipe. It’s like your favorite cherry pie but made easy to slice, share, and savor anytime — seriously, these bars have that perfect tender crumb with juicy cherries and a dreamy almond-infused glaze on top. Stick around and I’ll walk you through everything you need to make these sweet treats foolproof and totally delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comforting Nostalgia: It captures the classic cherry pie flavors you love but in a portable bar form that’s easier to enjoy anytime.
Simple Yet Stunning: With just a handful of pantry staples, you’ll turn out bakery-quality bars topped with a luscious almond glaze.
Crowd-Pleaser: These bars are perfect for sharing at holidays, potlucks, or whenever you want an easy dessert that’s wow-worthy.
Versatile & Customizable: You can tweak the flavors subtly to suit your mood or what’s in your pantry, making it truly your own.

Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze, cherry dessert bars, easy cherry dessert recipes, almond glaze cherry bars, fruity bar dessert - The image shows seven square cherry dessert bars arranged on a white marble cutting board and white marble surface. Each bar has three layers: a golden-brown crust on the bottom, a thick bright red cherry filling with whole cherries in the middle, and a slightly cracked golden crust on top. White icing is drizzled unevenly over all the bars. To the right of the bars is a small glass jar filled with bright red cherry topping. Below the bars is a small, clear glass bowl with white icing and a gold spoon inside it. A gray textured cloth is partially visible in the upper right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze Recipe has a role to make the bars tender, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. I always emphasize quality basics since they really shine here — like good butter and ripe cherry pie filling. Plus, the almond extract in both the batter and glaze adds such a lovely, subtle twist that you might not expect but will adore.

Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze, cherry dessert bars, easy cherry dessert recipes, almond glaze cherry bars, fruity bar dessert - Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, four whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, a simple white ceramic bowl heaped with bright red cherry pie filling, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, and a small white ceramic bowl of milk placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds richness and moisture for that tender crumb, plus it lets you control the salt level.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the bars perfectly without being overpowering—balances tart cherries.
Large Eggs: Help bind everything together while adding structure and a bit of silkiness to the batter.
Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancer that works magic alongside almond extract for depth.
Almond Extract: Adds that signature subtle nuttiness that turns simple cherry bars into something extra special.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure — make sure to measure correctly by spooning into the cup to avoid toughness.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Cherry Pie Filling: The star ingredient, packed with sweet-tart cherries; canned filling makes it super simple and consistent.
Powdered Sugar (for glaze): Creates a smooth, sweet drizzle that melds the flavors and adds an elegant finish.
Milk (for glaze): Thins out the glaze to just the right drizzle consistency.

Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

I love how this Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze Recipe lends itself to little tweaks — it’s great as-is, but I also stir in my own twists depending on the season or what I have on hand. Feel free to get creative with mix-ins or spices!

Add a Crunch: Sprinkling chopped almonds or toasted pecans on top before baking adds a delightful texture contrast — I did this last Thanksgiving and everyone raved about the extra nuttiness.
Brighten It Up: Mixing in a teaspoon of lemon zest with the batter really lifts the cherry flavor if you want a bit more zing.
Make It Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend, just be sure it contains xanthan gum for structure.
Cherry Variety: Try using fresh or frozen tart cherries in place of canned pie filling if you want a fresher, less sweet bar — just cook them down with a little sugar first.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

First things first — preheat your oven to 350°F. I like to spray my 9×13-inch baking pan with a nonstick spray to make sure the bars come out easily. Also, have your butter softened well; it mixes better and creates a smoother batter. This step saves you time and hassle later on.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. If you have a stand mixer, this is the perfect time to use it, but a sturdy hand mixer works great too. This process traps air in the batter, making the bars tender and light.

Step 3: Beat in the Eggs and Extracts

Next, add in your eggs one at a time, beating after each addition so everything combines smoothly. Then stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Almond extract adds such a subtle, wonderful depth — don’t skip it, even if it seems like just a tiny bit.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually fold this into your wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing here can make the bars dense, so stop as soon as you can no longer see flour. A little rusticness on the surface is perfectly fine and tasty!

Step 5: Assemble the Bars

Spoon about three cups of the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly using a spatula or your hands (just clean!). Then evenly spread the two cans of cherry pie filling over this base layer. For the top layer, drop pieces of the remaining batter across the cherry filling. It won’t be perfectly smooth—that’s part of the charm!

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. If you go with a slightly larger pan, try closer to 30 minutes — but keep a close eye as ovens vary. Let the bars cool completely before glazing so that the topping sets beautifully.

Step 7: Whip Up the Almond Glaze

While your bars are cooling, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla and almond extracts, plus milk until silky smooth. Drizzle this over the cooled bars using a spoon or piping bag. The glaze adds the perfect sweet finish with a lovely almond punch.

Pro Tips for Making Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze Recipe

Butter Softening: I always leave my butter on the counter about an hour before starting—this keeps the batter from being lumpy and helps it come together flawlessly.
Fruit Layer Thickness: Don’t skip spreading the cherries evenly, or some bites will be too heavy or too light with fruit. I use an offset spatula for this—it’s a game changer.
Baking Time Awareness: If your top starts to brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil to prevent burning while the middle finishes baking.
Cooling Patience: It’s tempting to glaze while warm, but waiting until bars are completely cool gives you those neat, pretty lines and keeps the glaze from soaking in.

How to Serve Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I like to add a few toasted slivered almonds on top of the glaze for crunch and extra almond flavor. Fresh mint leaves work nicely if serving for guests — they add a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I dust these with a little powdered sugar just before serving for extra charm.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a brunch or tea party, I love serving them alongside a cup of hot herbal tea or a fruity lemonade — it balances the sweetness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, try cutting the bars into festive shapes using cookie cutters after glazing and cooling—little hearts, stars, or even cherries to add whimsy. Arranged on a decorative platter with seasonal fresh fruit, they make a show-stopping centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cherry pie bars in an airtight container in the fridge, layered with parchment paper between them. They stay moist and delicious for about 4-5 days, which means plenty of time to enjoy a treat with your morning coffee or evening snack.

Freezing

You can freeze the bars too! I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When I want one, I let them thaw overnight in the fridge — just as good as fresh for a quick sweet craving fix.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop individual bars in the microwave for about 15 seconds — just enough to warm them slightly without melting the glaze. Or for that fresh-from-the-oven feel, heat them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes wrapped loosely in foil.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh cherries for the canned cherry pie filling?

Absolutely! If using fresh or frozen cherries, you’ll want to cook them down first with sugar, a bit of lemon juice, and cornstarch to thicken—similar to making homemade pie filling. This lets you control sweetness and texture but will require extra prep time.
What can I use if I don’t have almond extract?

If you’re out of almond extract, you can omit it—or use a bit more vanilla extract instead. The bars will still be delicious but won’t have that signature almond note. Adding a tiny splash of amaretto liqueur in the batter can also mimic almond flavor nicely.
How do I prevent the bars from being dry?

Don’t overmix the batter, and be sure not to overbake—watch for a lightly golden top and a clean toothpick. Also, letting the bars cool completely before adding glaze helps maintain moisture. Properly softened butter also makes a huge difference in tenderness.
Can I make smaller or larger batches easily?

Yes! For smaller batches, reduce ingredients by half and use an 8×8 pan instead. Baking time will be shorter, so start checking around 25 minutes. For larger batches, use a bigger pan and adjust baking time accordingly, checking doneness regularly to avoid overbaking.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Glaze Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen — it’s one of those desserts that instantly takes me back to cozy family gatherings, yet is simple enough to whip up last minute. I’m confident you’ll love how approachable it is, and the sweet almond glaze ties everything together like a warm hug. Give it a try, and before long, I bet this will be your go-to cherry dessert too. Happy baking!