If you’re looking for a show-stopping Christmas dessert that’s easy to make, these Christmas Cherry Bars are guaranteed to become a holiday tradition.
Imagine buttery, cake-like bars layered with sweet-tart cherry pie filling, finished with a delicate almond-vanilla glaze that melts right into the top.
They taste like mini cherry pies in soft bar form — festive, nostalgic, and impossible to resist.
These bars are famous for disappearing fast at:
- Christmas cookie exchanges
- Holiday dessert tables
- Church gatherings
- Family parties
And yes… people will absolutely ask for the recipe.
Why Everyone Loves These Cherry Bars
These holiday bars are special because they combine three irresistible layers:
✔ A rich buttery cookie base
✔ Juicy cherry filling
✔ Soft crumb topping with sweet glaze
The result is a dessert that’s:
- Soft and chewy
- Perfectly sweet with a tart cherry bite
- Easy to slice and share
- Even better the next day
Plus, they’re perfect for baking ahead or freezing for later.
Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
For the Glaze
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 15×10×1-inch jelly roll pan or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
(You can also use a 9×13 pan for thicker bars.)
2. Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl:
- Beat the butter, sugar, and salt for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Mix in the vanilla and almond extract.
- Gradually add the flour and mix until just combined.
Do not overmix.
3. Assemble the Layers
Reserve about 1½ cups of the dough for the topping.
Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Spread the two cans of cherry pie filling evenly over the dough.
Crumble the reserved dough over the top.
4. Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes until:
- edges are golden brown
- the center is set
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan (about 2 hours).
5. Make the Glaze
In a bowl whisk together:
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- almond extract
- milk
Start with 2 tablespoons milk, adding more until the glaze is smooth and drizzle-ready.
Drizzle over the cooled bars.
6. Slice and Serve
Cut into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife.
Tip: Wipe the knife between cuts for clean, bakery-style edges.
Serve at room temperature.
Helpful Tips for Perfect Cherry Bars
✔ Use full-fat ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
✔ Let the bars cool completely before cutting.
✔ Don’t skip the almond extract — it enhances the cherry flavor beautifully.
✔ These bars taste even better the next day.
Storage & Freezing
Room temperature: up to 3 days
Refrigerator: up to 5 days
Freezer:
Freeze unglazed bars tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight and add glaze before serving.
Easy Ingredient Substitutions
Cherry pie filling → blueberry, raspberry, or apple filling
Almond extract → ½ tsp amaretto or omit
Butter → plant-based butter substitute
All-purpose flour → gluten-free 1:1 baking blend
Serving Ideas
These festive bars look beautiful when:
- arranged on holiday cookie trays
- cut into bite-size squares for parties
- packed into gift tins for neighbors
- served with coffee, tea, or eggnog
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries?
Yes. Simmer 3 cups pitted cherries with ⅓ cup sugar and 1 tbsp cornstarch until thickened.
Why are my bars soggy?
They may be undercooked or cut before cooling completely.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Bar)
Calories: 280
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Sugar: 28g
Protein: 4g
The Sweet Ending
The best holiday desserts aren’t always the most complicated ones.
Sometimes they’re the simple recipes that sit quietly on the counter — glossy with glaze, filled with cherries, and waiting to be shared.
Slice them slowly.
Pass them around.
And watch how quickly they disappear.
