Cherry bars

Cherry bars are a delicious dessert that combines the sweet and tart flavors of cherries with a buttery crust and crumbly topping. Here’s a basic recipe for cherry bars:

Ingredients:

For the Crust and Topping:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but it enhances the cherry flavor)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as almonds or walnuts)

For the Cherry Filling:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries (pitted and halved)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Prepare the Cherry Filling:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, and cornstarch. Stir in the almond extract if using.
   • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the cherries soften, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Make the Crust and Topping:
   • In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
   • Add the flour and salt to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until it forms a crumbly dough. You can use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands to do this. If desired, mix in the chopped nuts.
   • Reserve about 1 cup of this mixture for the topping.

1. Assemble the Bars:
   • Press the remaining dough mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form an even layer. You can use your hands or the back of a spoon to do this.
2. Add the Cherry Filling:
   • Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust layer in the baking pan.
3. Add the Topping:
   • Sprinkle the reserved crumbly dough mixture evenly over the cherry filling. Gently press it down.
4. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
5. Cool and Serve:
   • Remove the cherry bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once they have cooled completely, you can cut them into squares or bars.
   • Serve and enjoy!

You can also dust the cooled bars with powdered sugar for a decorative touch before serving. These cherry bars are perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a sweet treat with your afternoon tea or coffee.