Here’s a delicious recipe for **Cherry Bars** — a sweet and tangy treat that’s perfect for any occasion!
### Ingredients:
#### For the crust:
– **1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour**
– **1/2 cup granulated sugar**
– **1/2 teaspoon baking powder**
– **1/4 teaspoon salt**
– **1/2 cup unsalted butter**, softened
– **1 large egg**
#### For the filling:
– **1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling** (or fresh cherries if you prefer)
– **1 tablespoon cornstarch** (optional, for thickening)
– **1 tablespoon lemon juice** (optional, for extra zing)
#### For the topping:
– **1/2 cup all-purpose flour**
– **1/2 cup rolled oats**
– **1/3 cup packed brown sugar**
– **1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon**
– **1/4 cup unsalted butter**, cold and cut into small pieces
### Instructions:
#### 1. Preheat the Oven:
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
#### 2. Make the Crust:
– In a large bowl, combine **flour**, **sugar**, **baking powder**, and **salt**.
– Add the **butter** and **egg**. Mix until the dough forms (you can use a hand mixer or mix by hand).
– Press the dough into the prepared baking pan to form an even layer at the bottom.
#### 3. Prepare the Filling:
– In a separate bowl, stir the **cherry pie filling** and **lemon juice** (if using). If you prefer a thicker filling, mix in **cornstarch** to thicken it slightly.
– Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust.
#### 4. Make the Topping:
– In a bowl, combine **flour**, **oats**, **brown sugar**, and **cinnamon**.
– Cut in the **cold butter** using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
– Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cherry filling.
#### 5. Bake:
– Bake in the preheated oven for **35-40 minutes**, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
#### 6. Cool and Serve:
– Allow the cherry bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut them into squares.
– You can serve them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or with a scoop of ice cream for an extra treat!
### Tips:
– If you want a **flakier** topping, you can add more butter or make the topping with **shortening**.
– Feel free to substitute the **cherry pie filling** with other fruit fillings like **apple** or **blueberry** for a different twist!
These **Cherry Bars** are sure to be a hit with their sweet cherry filling, buttery crust, and crumbly oat topping! Enjoy!