These Cherry Pie Bars are bursting with fruity goodness and wholesome ingredients featuring fresh mixed berries, juicy cherries, and a nourishing crumble topping. They make a delightful and healthy treat for summer birthday celebrations or any occasion.
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Updated June 2023
Cherry Pie Bars: A Delightful and Healthy Treat
Are you craving a delectable dessert that’s both scrumptious and nutritious? These Cherry Pie Bars recipe is the perfect blend of fruity goodness and wholesome ingredients, making it a delightful treat for any occasion.
Bursting with fresh mixed berries and juicy cherries, these cherry bars offer a delightful balance of flavors and textures that will surely leave you wanting more. Plus, the crust and topping are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo-friendly and grain-free, catering to various dietary preferences.
Whether you enjoy them on a lazy Sunday afternoon or share them with loved ones at a gathering, these bars are sure to become a cherished favorite.
Ingredients
These Cherry Crumb Bars are made with a combination of carefully selected gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and dairy-free ingredients, each serving a specific purpose to create a harmonious and delicious outcome. Feel free to swap out ingredients based on what you have or your dietary preferences:
For the cherry bar crumble and crust:
- Coconut Flakes and Sliced Almonds: These add a delightful nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch to the crust and topping and gives these that oatmeal texture. You can either chop them or pulse them a few times in a food processor until the texture resembles oats. Our favorite ones are from Bob’s Red Mill. If you’re not grain-free, feel free to use gluten free old fashioned rolled oats instead.
- Superfine Blanched Almond Flour: This gluten-free and grain-free flour forms the base of the crust and topping, providing a rich, nutty taste and a tender crumb. Feel free to sub with fine oat flour if you prefer.
- Coconut Oil and Maple Syrup: These natural sweeteners and binders lend moisture and a subtle sweetness to the crust and topping. You can choose sugar-free alternatives if needed based on your dietary needs.
- Coconut Sugar: Adding a caramel-like flavor, coconut sugar complements the berries and cherries beautifully. You can opt for brown sugar or sugar substitutes if you prefer a lower sugar option.
- Vanilla, Fine Sea Salt, and Baking Soda: These essential elements enhance the overall taste and texture of the bars, ensuring a well-balanced and satisfying treat.
For the cherry pie filling
- Fresh Cherries: The star of the show! These luscious fruits provide a burst of vibrant colors and natural sweetness that make the bars truly irresistible. Be sure to use sweet cherries and remove the pits. If you don’t have fresh cherries on hand, you can also use frozen pitted cherries. Just remember to thaw your frozen cherries, drain any excess liquid or pat dry.
- Arrowroot Flour / Starch: Acting as a thickener, this ingredient helps achieve the perfect consistency for the fruit filling. Corn starch will work as well.
- Fresh mixed berries: Whenever we don’t have fresh berries on hand we have often used frozen mixed berries and they work fine. Frozen berries are the perfect substitute to use in pie filling when fresh berries aren’t in season — just remember to thaw your frozen berries and pat dry.
- Lemon Juice: A touch of tangy lemon juice brightens the fruit filling and adds a refreshing zing.
Instructions: How to make Cherry Pie Bars
Follow these simple steps to create your very own batch of delicious Cherry Crumble Bars:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal later.
Step 2: Make the Filling In a medium pot over medium heat, add the fresh mixed berries, chopped cherries, maple syrup, and arrowroot flour/starch. Bring the mixture to a boil while gently smashing and stirring with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the mixture thickens. Once done, chill the fruit filling in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Step 3: Create the Crust and Topping In a large mixing bowl, combine the superfine blanched almond flour, arrowroot flour/starch, softened coconut oil (or your preferred alternative), maple syrup (or your preferred liquid sweetener), coconut sugar (or a sugar substitute), vanilla, fine sea salt, and baking soda. Stir in the chopped almonds and coconut flakes (or rolled oats, if using). This will form your crust and topping mixture.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake Press a little more than half of the crust mixture into the prepared pan, creating an even layer. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
Spread the chilled fruit filling evenly over the baked crust. Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture (your topping) over the berry layer.
Step 5: Bake Again Place the pan back into the oven and bake for an additional 22-25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and Cut Once baked, allow the Cherry Pie Bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. The cooling process ensures that the bars set properly and hold their shape.
Step 7: Enjoy! Your Cherry Pie Bars are now ready to be devoured! Savor each bite of this delightful and healthy treat.
Tips for Success: Bake Like a Pro
To achieve the best results when making our Cherry Pie Bars, consider these helpful tips:
- Prep and Planning: Ensure your berries and cherries are cleaned, thawed (if using frozen), and well-drained before preparing the fruit filling.
- Patience is Key: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares. This will help the bars set properly and maintain their shape.
- Storage and Freezer Instructions: To keep your bars fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you’d like to enjoy them later, the bars freeze well for up to two months. Simply wrap individual bars in parchment paper and place them in a freezer-safe container.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy the Blissful Indulgence
There’s no wrong way to savor these delightful Cherry Pie Bars. Here are some serving ideas to enhance your experience:
- À la Mode: Top the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped coconut cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Morning Delight: Pair a square of Cherry Pie Bar with your morning coffee or tea for a delightful breakfast treat.
- Picnic Perfection: Pack these bars in your picnic basket for a fruity and satisfying snack while enjoying the great outdoors.
Variations and Substitutions: Make It Your Own
Feel free to get creative with our Cherry Pie Bars! Here are some ideas for customizing the recipe to suit your taste and dietary preferences:
- Nutty Crunch: Add 1/4 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds to the crust for an extra crunch and nutty flavor.
- Fruit Medley: Experiment with different combinations of fresh or frozen berries and fruits to create unique flavor profiles. Switch things up with our Blueberry Crumb Bars, Strawberry Crumb Bars, Raspberry Crumb Bars, Peach Bars or Apple Pie Bars.
- Gluten-Free Alternatives: If almond flour isn’t your preference, try using gluten-free fine oat flour in its place
- Oatmeal Streusel: Replace half of the almond flour with rolled oats to create a heartier texture for the crumble topping.
- Mixed Spice: Incorporate a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice into the crumble mixture for a warm and cozy flavor profile.
Tips for Success
- Prep and Planning: Ensure your berries and cherries are cleaned, thawed (if using frozen), and well-drained before preparing the fruit filling.
- Cooling Time: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure they hold their shape.
- Pitting Cherries: Use a cherry pitter or a small paring knife to remove the pits easily.
- Consistency of Crumble: Ensure the butter is cold and cubed when mixing with the dry ingredients to achieve a crumbly texture.
- Patience is Key: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them into squares. This will help the bars set properly and maintain their shape.
Serving Suggestions:
- Breakfast Delight: Enjoy a bar with a cup of coffee or tea in the morning for a sweet and satisfying breakfast treat.
- Afternoon Snack: Pack a couple of bars in your lunchbox or take them on a picnic for a delicious mid-day pick-me-up.
- Dessert Extravaganza: Serve the crumble bars warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert.
- Party Pleaser: Cut the bars into bite-sized squares and serve them as finger food at your next gathering or potluck.
- Picnic Perfection: Pack these bars in your picnic basket for a fruity and satisfying snack while enjoying the great outdoors.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: To freeze, place the cooled bars in a freezer-safe container, separated by parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving or reheat in the oven for a few minutes.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Can I use frozen fruit for the filling? Absolutely! You can use frozen mixed berries and cherries for the fruit filling. Just make sure to thaw, drain, and pat them dry before using to avoid excess moisture in the bars.
2. Can I substitute almond flour with another gluten-free flour? Certainly! If almond flour isn’t available or is not your preference, you can use gluten-free fine oat flour as an alternative.
3. Can I add nuts to the crust for an extra crunch? Absolutely! If you desire a nutty crunch, feel free to add 1/4 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds to the crust mixture before baking.
4. Can I use different fruits for the filling? Certainly! You can experiment with various combinations of fresh or frozen berries and fruits to create unique and personalized flavors.
5. Can I serve these bars with ice cream? Yes, indeed! Serving a warm Cherry Pie Bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped coconut cream adds a delightful touch of indulgence.
More cherry recipes:
These Cherry Pie Bars are bursting with fruity goodness and wholesome ingredients featuring fresh mixed berries, juicy cherries, and a nourishing crumble topping. They make a delightful and healthy treat for summer birthday celebrations or any occasion.
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes , roughly chopped OR pulsed 1-2 times until they resemble the texture of quick oats - you can also sub with rolled oats or quick oats if not grain-free
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds , roughly chopped OR pulsed 1-2 times until they resemble the texture of quick oats - you can also sub with rolled oats or quick oats if not grain-free
- 1 2/3 cups superfine blanched almond flour , you can also sub with gluten-free fine oat flour if not grain-free (gluten-free (or regular) all purpose flour may work too but we have not tested it so the amount will vary)
- 2 tbs arrowroot flour / starch or tapioca flour . (omit if using all purpose flour)
- 1/4 cup softened refined or butter flavored coconut oil , you can also sub with vegan butter, ghee or unsalted butter if not dairy-free
- 1/4 cup maple syrup , you can also sub with honey or preferred liquid sweetener of choice, such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup for lower sugar option
- 2 Tbs coconut sugar , you can also sub with brown sugar or other brown sugar substitute such as Lakanto or Swerve for lower sugar option
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/3 tsp baking soda
- 2 1/2 cups fresh mixed berries or frozen , if using frozen be sure to thaw, drain & pat dry first
- 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries roughly chopped
- 3 Tbsps maple syrup , you can also sub with honey or preferred liquid sweetener of choice, such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup for lower sugar option
- 1 Tbs arrowroot flour / starch OR tapioca flour corn starch works too
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang.
Make the filling: In a medium pot over medium heat, add fruit, maple syrup, arrowroot & lemon juice & bring to a boil, while smashing & stirring with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat & cook for 3-5 minutes, or until mixture is thickened. Chill in fridge until ready to use.
Make the crust and topping:
In a large mixing bowl, combine, flours, sweeteners, vanilla, salt & baking soda. Stir in chopped almonds & coconut flakes. Press a little more than half of the crust mixture into prepared pan.
Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven & allow to cool for 5 minutes.Spread fruit mixture evenly over crust.
Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over berry layer.Bake in preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until top is golden brown.
Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares or enjoy straight. Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
**Optional - adding 1/4 cup chopped pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds to the crust would add a nice crunch if desired
Disclaimer: This updated post was generated on June 5, 2023 by ChatGPT, an AI language model, and all info should be reviewed and validated by a human for accuracy and relevancy before implementation
Did you try this recipe?
Emilee -
So yummy! These bars were perfect