Description
Delight in these Cherry Crumble Bars featuring a luscious cherry filling sandwiched between layers of buttery oat crumble. Perfectly balanced with a touch of vanilla or almond extract, these bars bake to golden perfection, offering a satisfying sweet treat ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherry Filling
- 2 cups (300 g) cherries, pitted and quartered (about 60 cherries)
- 2 tablespoons (25 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Crumble Topping and Base
- 1 cup (100 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (105 g) brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prep Oven & Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal after baking, or lightly grease the pan if preferred.
- Make Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the pitted and quartered cherries, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and your choice of vanilla or almond extract. Stir gently to mix well and set aside to allow the flavors to meld while preparing the crumble.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: In a separate medium bowl, mix the old-fashioned rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pour the melted salted butter over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until all the mixture is moistened and no dry clumps remain, creating a crumbly, combined texture.
- Assemble Bars: Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan to form an even base layer. Spoon the cherry filling evenly over the crumble base, spreading it out to cover the entire surface. Finally, sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly on top of the cherry layer to create the topping.
- Bake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Bake until the crumble topping turns lightly golden and the cherry filling bubbles around the edges, indicating it is cooked through.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan and cut them into 16 equal pieces. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delicious treat.
Notes
- For easier cleanup and removal, lining the pan with parchment paper is recommended.
- If fresh cherries are unavailable, frozen cherries can be used but make sure to thaw and drain excess liquid to prevent a soggy filling.
- Adjust sugar quantities according to the tartness of your cherries for a sweeter or more tart bar.
- To make these bars dairy-free, substitute the salted butter with a plant-based butter alternative.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
