Description
Delight in these Cherry Crumble Bars, a perfect balance of tart cherries and sweet, buttery oat crumble. This easy-to-make dessert features a crunchy base and topping with a juicy cherry filling, baked to golden perfection. Great for snacking or sharing, these bars bring a comforting fruit crumble experience in convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherry Filling
- 2 cups (300 g) cherries, pitted and quartered (about 60)
- 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 of the bars after baking.
- Make Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the pitted and quartered cherries, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and vanilla or almond extract. Mix thoroughly and set aside to let the flavors meld and thicken the filling.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: In a separate medium bowl, stir together the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pour the melted salted butter over the mixture and mix well until everything is moistened evenly and there are no dry clumps.
- Assemble Bars: Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even base layer. Spoon the cherry filling evenly over this base, spreading it to the edges. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the cherry layer to form the topping.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the crumble topping is lightly golden and the cherry filling is bubbling along the edges.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely for at least 20 minutes. Once cooled, cut into 16 bars and serve. These bars can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature for a delicious treat.
Notes
- For easier removal, make sure to use parchment paper lining for the pan.
- Feel free to substitute vanilla extract with almond extract to add a different flavor profile.
- Using fresh or frozen cherries both work well; if frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars also freeze well; wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
