Description
Delight in these Cherry Crumble Bars, combining a luscious cherry filling with a buttery oat crumble topping. Perfectly baked to achieve a golden crust with a bubbling, sweet cherry center, these bars make an excellent treat for dessert or snack time. Easy to prepare and ideal for sharing, they offer a delightful balance of tart cherries and sweet, crunchy crumble in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherry Filling
- 2 cups (300 g) cherries, pitted and quartered (about 60 cherries)
- 2 Tablespoons (25 g) granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Crumble Topping and 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 for easy removal after baking, or lightly grease it.
- Make Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the pitted and quartered cherries with granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and vanilla or almond extract. Stir well to ensure the cherries are evenly coated and set aside to let flavors meld.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: In another medium bowl, mix the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pour the melted salted butter over this mixture and stir thoroughly until everything is moistened and no dry clumps remain.
- Assemble Bars: Press about two-thirds of the crumble mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even, compact base layer. Spoon the cherry filling evenly over this base, spreading it to the edges. Then sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the top of the cherries to form the topping.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the crumb topping turns lightly golden and the cherry filling begins to bubble around the edges.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cherry crumble bars to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. Once cooled, cut into 16 bars and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your delightful cherry treat!
Notes
- For easier removal from the pan, line it with parchment paper with some overhang on the sides.
- Use fresh or frozen cherries; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before preparing.
- Almond extract enhances the cherry flavor but can be substituted with vanilla extract for a milder taste.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
