These Cherry Pie Filling Bars with a cream cheese glaze are an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert. A tender homemade dough is pressed into a pan, topped with canned cherry pie filling, and finished with a simple cream cheese glaze for a delightful semi-homemade treat.
Using canned cherry pie filling saves time and effort while still delivering great flavor — no pitting required. These bars are budget-friendly and perfect for potlucks, weeknight desserts, or anytime you want a quick fruit-forward sweet.
Easy Cherry Pie Bar Recipe With A Cream Cheese Glaze
This recipe layers a buttery crust with canned cherry pie filling and more crust on top. Once baked, a smooth cream cheese glaze is drizzled over the cooled bars to add richness and shine.
The convenience of canned filling means you can have a homemade-tasting dessert with minimal prep. If you enjoy cherry desserts, these bars pair well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Ingredients For The Bars
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
Ingredients For Glaze
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
How to Make Cherry Pie Filling Bars
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8 baking pan with nonstick spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt and set aside.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until incorporated. Reserve about one-third of the dough for the topping and press the remaining two-thirds evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust. Drop the reserved dough by spoonfuls over the filling to create a rustic top crust.
Bake for about 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Remove from the oven and let cool while you make the glaze.
To make the cream cheese glaze, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add additional milk 1 teaspoon at a time if needed to reach a drizzleable consistency.
When the bars are completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top, then slice into nine bars and serve. These are excellent warmed slightly and topped with vanilla ice cream.
Tips For Making Cherry Pie Bars
- Use room-temperature butter and eggs for easier mixing and a lighter texture.
- Cream the butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until pale and fluffy to ensure tender bars.
- Gently press the bottom layer of dough with your fingers for an even crust that bakes uniformly.
- Test doneness with a toothpick in the crust area; if it comes out clean and the filling is bubbling, the bars are done.
Variations To Pie Bars
- Substitute other canned pie fillings such as blueberry, strawberry, or apple for a different flavor.
- Skip the cream cheese glaze or replace it with a simple vanilla glaze or a white chocolate drizzle.
- Add chopped nuts or slivered almonds on top of the cherries for extra crunch.
- Make your own cherry pie filling from fresh or frozen cherries if you prefer homemade fruit filling.
Can I Double This Recipe?
Yes. Double the ingredients to fill a 9×13 pan or bake in two 8×8 pans. Baking time may increase slightly if you use a larger pan, so watch for a golden top and bubbling filling.
How To Store Cherry Bars
Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days because of the fruit filling and cream cheese glaze. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Enjoy this simple, delicious dessert that combines the convenience of canned cherry pie filling with a homemade crust and creamy glaze — a perfect treat any time of year.
Cherry Pie Filling Bars With Cream Cheese Glaze
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 21 ounce can cherry pie filling
Ingredients for the glaze
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Grease an 8×8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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Combine the flour and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
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Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix to combine.
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Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
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Spread ⅔ of the batter in the bottom of the prepared pan and press evenly.
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Spread the cherry pie filling over the crust.
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Drop the remaining dough by spoonfuls over the cherry pie filling.
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Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
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Remove from the oven and allow to cool while you prepare the glaze.
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Make the glaze by beating the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach the desired consistency.
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When cooled, drizzle the glaze over the bars and cut into nine pieces.
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should only be used as a general guideline. It is an estimate that will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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