Description
These Cherry Crumble Bars combine a sweet-tart cherry filling with a buttery oat crumble topping for a delightful dessert or snack. Perfectly baked to a golden crisp, these bars are easy to make and serve, featuring tender cherries enveloped in a spiced crumble base and topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherry Filling
- 2 cups (300 g) cherries, pitted and quartered (about 60)
- 2 Tablespoons (25 g) granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Crumble Topping & Base
- 1 cup (100 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (105 g) brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prep Oven & Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Make Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the pitted and quartered cherries with granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and your choice of vanilla or almond extract. Stir well to evenly coat the cherries and let the mixture sit to meld the flavors.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, mix rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pour the melted salted butter over this dry mixture, stirring thoroughly until there are no dry clumps and the mixture is evenly moistened.
- Assemble Bars: Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even base layer. Spoon the cherry filling evenly on top of this oat base, spreading it toward the edges. Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the cherry layer to form the topping.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the crumble topping is lightly golden and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool for at least 20 minutes in the pan. Once cooled, cut into 16 bars. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!
Notes
- For easy removal, lining the pan with parchment paper is highly recommended.
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla if preferred for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure cherries are well coated with flour to prevent the filling from becoming too runny.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
