Cherry Pie Bars

These Cherry Pie Bars are filled with a sweet and juicy cherry filling and topped with a buttery grain-free shortbread crumble topping. They are also completely gluten-free, grain free and refined-sugar free and make the perfect healthy snack or dessert for summer.

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Updated June 2020

Paleo Cherry Pie Bars

My favorite part about summer is all the fresh seasonal fruit.  My family loves fresh cherries and can never get enough. Most of the time we just enjoy them straight from the bowl but at least once a year, I love tossing whatever summer fruit I have on hand for all the fruit crisps, crumbles and pie bars.

Besides these mixed berry crumb bars, you can also make blueberry crumb bars, apple pie bars, peach crisp, strawberry rhubarb crisp, peach bars , pear bars or use any other fruit you like or have on hand.

Why we love this recipe:

These Cherry Pie Bar are incredibly irresistible and make the perfect healthy dessert. Not only are these cherry crumb bars easily customize-able, but the best part is that they are made from scratch by using whatever type of summer fruit or berries you may have on hand. As soon as cherries are in season, we cannot resist buying them by the boat load to make all sorts of cherry streusel bars.

All you need are just a few simple pantry ingredients. The portable size also make them perfect to bring along to your next Memorial Day barbecue, Fourth of July potluck or any summer party.

Ingredients you need for mixed berry cherry crumb bars:

For the gluten-free and paleo crumb mixture:

• Almond Flour: You can use superfine blanched almond flour or almond meal. Almond flour is the main nut flour providing most of the bulk. Measure properly using the spoon and level method.
• sliced almonds and coconut flakes – classic fruit bars use rolled oats in their crumble topping but since we are trying to keep this grain free, we use a combination of nuts and coconut flakes to give 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.
• coconut sugar and maple syrup – we use a combination of both of these unrefined sweeteners to make them extra flavourful and delicious. You can also sub with any other liquid sweetener or brown sugar substitute if you don’t have these on hand.
• baking powder – the leavener we use to help the crust rise slightly
• salt – to balance out the sweetness and add flavor
• lemon zest
• for a vegan fruit crisp use softened coconut oil (you want the texture like softened butter – use refined if you prefer it without the coconut flavor) or use ghee or butter if not vegan

For The Gooey Filling

• fresh cherries: 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.
• fresh mixed berries: whenever I don’t have fresh berries on hand I 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.
• maple syrup: to add sweetness but you can also sub with coconut sugar, or Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener for low carb bars
• arrowroot or tapioca starch (sub with xanthan gum or flaxseed meal for keto cherry squares)
• lemon juice

How to Make Cherry Pie Bars

This cherry crumb bar recipe is easy to customize and makes the perfect summer dessert for barbecues, picnics and to enjoy any time that cherry pie craving hits.

1. PREHEAT OVEN: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang.
2. MAKE THE CHERRY 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.
3. MAKE THE CRUST:
   Chop your coconut flakes or sliced almond until they resemble the texture of quick oats or alternatively, you can add them to the bowl of a food processor and pulse 1-2 times, until still crumbly. Transfer to a large bowl and whisk in the almond flour, sugars, baking powder and salt. With a fork, pastry cutter, or using your clean hands, cut butter into flour mixture together until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. PRESS CRUMB MIXTURE INTO PAN: 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.
5. ADD FRUIT FILLING: Spread fruit mixture over the crust, smoothing lightly with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over berry layer.
6. BAKE in preheated oven 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.
   

   

   

   

How To Store The Leftovers

To store these cherry bars, just simply transfer them to a reusable storage container and store in the refrigerator for up to four days. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the microwave and coat with your favorite nut butter or just allow them to come to room temperature.

Can I freeze these cherry pie bars?

Yes! These cherry crumb bars are perfectly freezer-friendly. Arrange the cherry pie bars in a single layer inside a reusable storage container or bag. Store these cherry squares in the freezer for up to six months. When ready to eat, allow the cherry bars to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

More cherry recipes:

No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Icebox Cake

Cherry French Toast Roll-Ups

0 from 0 votes

Print

Cherry Pie Bars

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

37 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

These cherry pie bars are filled with a sweet and juicy cherry filling and topped with a buttery grain-free shortbread crumble topping. They are made with simple pantry-friendly ingredients and make the perfect healthy snack or dessert for summer. These paleo bars are also completely gluten-free, grain free and refined-sugar free.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cherry bars, cherry dessert, cherry pie, cherry pie bars, gluten free bars, grain-free bars, paleo

Servings: 12 bars

Calories: 169 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

FOR THE CRUST AND TOPPING:

• 1/4 cup coconut flakes , roughly chopped OR pulsed 1-2 times until they resemble the texture of quick oats
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds , roughly chopped OR pulsed 1-2 times until they resemble the texture of quick oats
• 1 2/3 cups almond flour
• 2 tbs arrowroot or tapioca flour
• 1/4 cup softened refined or butter flavored coconut oil can sub with vegan butter or ghee if not dairy-free
• 1/4 cup maple syrup , (may sub other liquid sweetener)
• 2 Tbs coconut sugar , (may sub other brown sugar substitute)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/3 tsp baking soda

FOR THE FILLING:

• 2 1/2 cups fresh mixed berries or frozen - thaw, drain & pat dry first
• 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries , roughly chopped
• 3 Tbsps maple syrup , (may sub other liquid sweetener)
• 1 Tbs arrowroot OR tapioca flour
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Spread fruit mixture evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over berry layer.

5. 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.

Recipe Notes

**Optional - adding 1/4 cup chopped pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds to the crust would add a nice crunch if desired

Nutrition Facts

Cherry Pie Bars

Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

Calories 169 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 10g11%

Protein 3g6%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

1. 
   0 from 0 votes

   

   Print

   Cherry Pie Bars

   Prep Time

   15 mins

   Cook Time

   37 mins

   Total Time

   50 mins

    

   These cherry pie bars are filled with a sweet and juicy cherry filling and topped with a buttery grain-free shortbread crumble topping. They are made with simple pantry-friendly ingredients and make the perfect healthy snack or dessert for summer. These paleo bars are also completely gluten-free, grain free and refined-sugar free.

   Course: Dessert

   Cuisine: American

   Keyword: cherry bars, cherry dessert, cherry pie, cherry pie bars, gluten free bars, grain-free bars, paleo

   Servings: 12 bars

   Calories: 169 kcal

   Author: Kelly

   Ingredients

   FOR THE CRUST AND TOPPING:

   • 1/4 cup coconut flakes , roughly chopped OR pulsed 1-2 times until they resemble the texture of quick oats
   • 1/4 cup sliced almonds , roughly chopped OR pulsed 1-2 times until they resemble the texture of quick oats
   • 1 2/3 cups almond flour
   • 2 tbs arrowroot or tapioca flour
   • 1/4 cup softened refined or butter flavored coconut oil can sub with vegan butter or ghee if not dairy-free
   • 1/4 cup maple syrup , (may sub other liquid sweetener)
   • 2 Tbs coconut sugar , (may sub other brown sugar substitute)
   • 1 tsp vanilla
   • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
   • 1/3 tsp baking soda

   FOR THE FILLING:

   • 2 1/2 cups fresh mixed berries or frozen - thaw, drain & pat dry first
   • 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries , roughly chopped
   • 3 Tbsps maple syrup , (may sub other liquid sweetener)
   • 1 Tbs arrowroot OR tapioca flour
   • 1/2 tsp lemon juice

   Instructions

   1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang.

   2. 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.

   3. 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.

   4. Spread fruit mixture evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over berry layer.

   5. 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.

   Recipe Notes

   **Optional - adding 1/4 cup chopped pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds to the crust would add a nice crunch if desired

   Nutrition Facts

   Cherry Pie Bars

   Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

   Calories 169 Calories from Fat 99

   % Daily Value*

   Fat 11g17%

   Carbohydrates 16g5%

   Fiber 3g12%

   Sugar 10g11%

   Protein 3g6%

   * Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.