As the holiday season approaches, nothing brings the festive spirit to life quite like a batch of homemade treats. Christmas Cherry Bars are a delightful dessert that perfectly embodies the joy and warmth of the holidays. With their luscious layers of creamy filling, sweet cherry topping, and buttery crumbly crust, these bars are sure to impress your family and friends.
This recipe combines simple ingredients to create a show-stopping dessert that is both easy to make and utterly delicious. The vibrant cherry filling adds a pop of color and flavor, while the cream cheese layer brings a rich, velvety texture that melts in your mouth. Ideal for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or a cozy night in, Christmas Cherry Bars are not just a dessert—they’re a festive tradition that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Gather your loved ones and make these scrumptious bars a part of your holiday celebrations!
Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Base and Topping:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, like walnuts or pecans)
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
For the Cherry Filling:
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
Directions
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Prepare the Base and Topping
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the flour, salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract; mix until combined.
Divide the dough into two equal portions—one for the bottom layer and one for the topping. Press one portion into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and the egg until smooth.
Spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
Step 4: Add the Cherry Filling
Spoon the cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, spreading it gently to cover.
Step 5: Crumble the Topping
Take the remaining dough portion and crumble it over the top of the cherry filling. If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts over the top.
Step 6: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
Step 7: Serve
Once cooled, cut into bars and serve. These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.