These quick cherry crumble bars offer a delightful balance of sweet and tart cherry filling encased in a buttery crust and finished with a crisp crumble topping. They are incredibly easy to make, perfect for any occasion, and always a crowd-pleaser. The recipe utilizes simple ingredients and a straightforward method, ensuring a family-friendly treat that delivers on both flavor and simplicity.
For the best results, it is important to drain your mashed cherries thoroughly if using frozen fruit to avoid a watery filling, and to ensure your crust is pressed evenly into the pan. You can also easily customize these bars by substituting different berries or adding chopped nuts like almonds or pecans for extra crunch. If you are baking for specific dietary needs, swapping the standard flour for a high-quality gluten-free flour blend works wonderfully without compromising the texture.
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Quick Cherry Crumble Bars
Course: Recipes16
servings20
minutes35
minutes235
kcalIngredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (divided)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
1 large egg, room temperature
2 tbsp milk
2 1/4 cups fresh pitted cherries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
2 tbsp cornstarch
Directions
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Dough: Add chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to mix until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Stir in the egg and milk until a soft dough forms.
- Form Crust: Pat half of the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the cherries with cornstarch and 3 tbsp granulated sugar.
- Assemble: Sprinkle the cherry mixture evenly over the crust. Use the remaining dough as the top layer; pat it over the cherries, creating a crumbly texture for the topping.
- Bake: Bake for 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Serve: Let cool completely before cutting into 16 bars. Serve and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Fruit Substitution: Cherries can be substituted with frozen (thawed and drained) or canned cherry pie filling, making sure to adjust the sugar to taste.
- Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, use a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum.
- Dairy-Free: You can use vegan butter instead of unsalted butter.
- Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon to the filling for extra flavor.
