Glazed Cherry Pie Bars

Is it a pie?  Is it a cookie?  With Glazed Cherry Pie Bars, you have the best of both, for a tasty and surprisingly easy dessert or snack! 

I received samples for the creation of this recipe, but all opinions are my own.

Don’t you love all the colors of fall?  From vibrant orange to cheery yellow to glorious burgundy.   Like in these Glazed Cherry Pie Bars!

Last year, I did an apple version of this tasty fall treat that I called (surprise) Glazed Apple Pie Bars.  It was an old recipe that I remembered from my childhood and finally got around to looking up online.  So this year, with a lot of beautiful cherries in my freezer, I couldn’t resist changing it up.

When I decided to make the fruit switch, I knew I wanted to add vanilla to the filling.  I’ve always loved the two flavors together from the days of drinking Cherry Vanilla milk at the state fair.  Wisconsin Girl here! 

I had just gotten some samples from Taylor & Colledge, maker of vanilla and other flavor pastes since 1897, which were perfect!  If you’ve never used vanilla paste before, it’s a treat.  Full of tiny vanilla beans, it is closer to using fresh vanilla but quicker and easier.  And the cute vanilla beans display beautifully in the glaze, which makes a classy presentation.  If you’ve got it, flaunt it! Now I have to tell you that (silly me) I was initially intimidated by the crust.  In true confession, I still buy commercial pie crusts more often than not.  But this crust is richer—with egg yolks—and shaped like a rectangle, so I decided to give handmade a try.

I used fresh cherries in this and frozen should work as well.  But if not available, you can consider canned filling.  Take a look at this recipe for Cherry Pie with Canned Filling for tips!

Rolling between wax paper

In the end, it was super easy! I just rolled the dough between two sheets of floured wax paper.  When it got “stuck” I pulled the paper off, re-flouring and then putting the paper back as I went along. What was I afraid of!

The bars are sweet with a hint of tart and the crust is flakey and tastes like something your grandmother would have made.  They were pretty irresistible, which was good because it meant I had a lot of help eating them!

Glazed Cherry Pie Bars

Is it a pie?  Is it a cookie?  With Glazed Cherry Pie Bars, you have the best of both, for a surprisingly easy, tasty dessert or snack!

Author: Inger

5 from 2 votes

Print

Course Desserts & Snacks

Servings 15

Calories 221 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Filling:

• 4-5 cups pitted sweet cherries chop if you want smaller pieces
• 3/4 cup sugar 1 c for tart cherries
• 2 T granulated “instant” tapioca can sub 2 T cornstarch, I hear
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons lard or shortening I used my farm lard
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ cup water to start + up to 2 Tablespoons more as needed

Glaze:

• 1 tablespoons butter
• 1 Tablespoons milk
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

 

• Combine sugar, tapioca and vanilla, then mix with the cherries to coat them. Set aside.
  
  Combine flour and salt then cut the shortening into the flour mixture until coarse crumbs are formed. Beat together lemon juice, egg yolks and water and pour over flour mixture. Stir to mix, until combined. Add extra water if needed. Divide dough in half and store one half in the refrigerator.
  
  Line a 8 x 13 inch pan with parchment paper. Roll out half of the dough between wax paper to fit the pan. (Or you can pat it into shape in the pan but I found rolling slightly easier).
• Spread cherry mixture evenly over the dough. There may be gaps which will fill as it cooks and softens. Sprinkle with any remaining sugar/vanilla/flour mixture.
• Roll out the other half of the dough, between wax paper, to fit the top. Make slashes in the top with a knife to allow steam to escape.
  
  Bake in 400° oven for 45-60 minutes until crust is slightly golden and cherries are bubbling. If the crust is browning too quickly, cover the top loosely with foil and continue baking. Remove and place the pan on a rack to cool completely.
  
  When bars are cool, make the glaze. Melt butter then combine with milk, powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread the glaze over top and allow to harden.
  Slice into 15 squares (or whatever size you’d like).
• 
  Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 86mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

I am not a health professional and nutrition data is calculated programatically. Accuracy may vary with product selection, calculator accuracy, etc. Consult a professional for the best information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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