Directions:
1- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
3- Incorporate the Butter: Add 1 cup of cold, cubed unsalted butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg yolk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Pour this mixture over the butter-flour mixture and stir until the dough comes together. It may seem crumbly, but that’s okay.
5- Form the Crust: Take about 2/3 of the dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
6- Prepare the Cherry Filling: In another bowl, combine the cherry pie filling and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. Gently spread this cherry mixture over the crust in the pan.
7- Create the Topping: Crumble the remaining 1/3 of the dough over the cherry filling to create a crumbly, streusel-like topping.
8- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
9- Cool and Cut: Remove the cherry pie bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, you can refrigerate them for easier cutting.
10- Serve: When ready to serve, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Place them on a cutting board and cut into squares or bars. Optionally, dust the bars with powdered sugar for a lovely finishing touch.
Enjoy your homemade Cherry Pie Bars! They’re perfect for sharing with family and friends or indulging in a sweet treat for yourself.
