Quick Cherry Crumble Bars Recipe
These Quick Cherry Crumble Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery crust, a sweet and tangy cherry filling, and a crumbly topping. Perfect for a quick dessert or snack, they combine fresh cherries with a simple homemade dough that’s easy to prepare and bake.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 to 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dough Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups plain white flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chilled butter
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
Cherry Filling
- 2 1/4 cups cherries, pitted and fresh
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a square 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on each side for easy removal later. Spray the sides of the dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Grate the chilled butter directly into the bowl and use your hands to mix until the butter is evenly distributed and resembles small pebbles. Add the beaten egg and milk, and stir until the dough is cohesive and holds together when pinched.
- Form the Crust: Take two-thirds of the dough and press it firmly and evenly into the prepared baking dish, using your hands to spread it out across the bottom.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, mash the cherries with a potato masher or fork until slightly chunky and no whole cherries remain. Strain the mashed cherries through a fine mesh sieve to remove excess liquid, then return them to the bowl. Stir in the sugar and cornflour until well combined.
- Assemble and Bake: Evenly spread the cherry filling over the crust in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining dough over the cherries to create a crumb topping. Bake in the preheated oven for 32 to 36 minutes, or until the edges and top are lightly golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan at room temperature, or refrigerate to speed cooling. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan, slice into squares, and enjoy.
Notes
- Using fresh cherries is key for the best flavor, but frozen cherries can be used if thawed and drained well.
- Chilling the butter before grating helps achieve a crumbly dough texture.
- Make sure to remove excess liquid from the cherry filling to avoid a soggy crust.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For variation, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract to the cherry filling.
Keywords: cherry crumble bars, cherry dessert, quick cherry bars, summer dessert, easy cherry recipe, crumb topping, baked cherry bars