The combination of buttery crumb layers and sweet, juicy cherries in these Cherry Crumble Bars creates a heavenly contrast of textures. The soft, slightly gooey cherry center balances perfectly with the crisp, golden topping and firm base, giving you that pie meets cookie bite every time.
Whether you’re serving them as a midweek treat or packing them for a summer picnic, these bars are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Easy to slice, easy to store, and totally irresistible, they’re one of those classic desserts that feel both nostalgic and fresh.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 ¾ cups plain white flour
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¾ cup granulated sugar
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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¼ teaspoon salt
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½ cup chilled butter
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1 egg, beaten
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2 tablespoons milk
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2 ¼ cups cherries, pitted and fresh
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3 tablespoons sugar (for filling)
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2 tablespoons cornflour
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing for 1″ overhang on all sides. Lightly spray the sides with nonstick spray.
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In a large bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
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Grate in the chilled butter and mix by hand until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs or small pebbles.
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Add the beaten egg and milk. Mix until a soft dough forms that holds when pinched.
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Press ⅔ of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust.
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In a medium bowl, mash the cherries slightly using a fork or masher, ensuring no whole cherries remain.
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Drain mashed cherries using a mesh strainer to remove excess liquid. Return to the bowl and stir in the 3 tablespoons of sugar and cornflour.
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Spread the cherry mixture evenly over the crust.
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Crumble the remaining dough over the top to form a crumbly topping.
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Bake for 32–36 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
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Let cool completely at room temperature (or in the fridge). Slice into bars and serve.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 36 minutes | Total Time: 56 minutes
Kcal: Approx. 185 per bar (based on 8 servings) | Servings: 8 bars
The Timeless Charm of Cherry Crumble Bars
There’s something deeply nostalgic and satisfying about a tray of freshly baked cherry crumble bars cooling on the counter. With their golden, buttery layers and juicy fruit filling, these bars evoke memories of family gatherings, summer picnics, and cozy afternoons with a cup of tea. Their rustic appearance hides the incredible balance of texture and flavor within a soft, jammy cherry middle wrapped in a crumbly, slightly crisp crust. Whether you’re baking them for a party, a lunchbox treat, or just because you’re craving something sweet, cherry crumble bars deliver the perfect slice of homemade comfort.
A Dessert That Blends Two Classics
What makes cherry crumble bars especially delightful is how they straddle the line between two beloved dessert styles: pie and cookie. They offer the rich, gooey fruit filling reminiscent of a cherry pie, while the base and topping mirror the texture of a buttery shortbread or oat crumble. This fusion creates a bar that’s both firm enough to hold and soft enough to melt in your mouth. It’s this duality structured yet soft, crumbly yet cohesive that makes the dessert so addictive and memorable.
Unlike traditional pies, cherry crumble bars are far easier to prepare and portion. They require no special equipment, no rolling out of dough, and certainly no lattice tops. Just a mixing bowl, a baking pan, and a good appetite.
Flexibility in Ingredients
One of the unsung strengths of this dessert is its adaptability. Cherry crumble bars may sound like a niche treat, but they’re remarkably forgiving and flexible depending on what you have in your pantry or what’s in season.
Cherries, of course, are the star. Sweet Bing cherries are a favorite choice for their rich flavor and dark hue. If they’re in season, you’re in for a real treat. But don’t worry if fresh cherries aren’t available frozen cherries work beautifully. Just make sure to thaw and drain them well before using to avoid excess moisture in your bars. Even canned cherries or cherry pie filling can be used in a pinch, though they’ll produce a slightly sweeter, more processed result.
What’s also great is that this recipe is not limited to cherries alone. It acts as a template for almost any fruit crumble bar you can imagine. Swap in blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or diced strawberries. In the fall, diced apples or pears with a bit of cinnamon can create a cozy variation. The foundational dough pairs well with all types of fruits, making it easy to adapt for different seasons or taste preferences.
The Role of the Crumble
The crumble in these bars isn’t just a decorative topping it’s also the structural backbone. It functions as both the base layer and the top, and how you treat it determines the final texture. The dough must be firm but crumbly, moist but not wet. The key is using chilled fat (typically butter) and not overmixing the dough. This prevents the formation of too much gluten, which would otherwise make the base chewy rather than tender.
Some bakers prefer adding oats or chopped nuts into the topping for an extra crunch, while others keep it simple and buttery. A touch of almond extract is often added to the dough or filling, enhancing the cherry flavor and giving the bars a subtle bakery style finish.
Smart Baking Tips
Cherry crumble bars are relatively easy to make, but a few thoughtful tips can take them from good to absolutely unforgettable:
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Use cold butter, not softened. This keeps the crumble light and crumbly instead of greasy or cakey.
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Don’t skip draining your fruit, especially if using frozen or canned. Extra liquid can lead to soggy bottoms or make it harder for the filling to set.
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Let them cool fully before slicing. This allows the filling to firm up and helps you get neat, beautiful squares rather than gooey messes.
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Use parchment paper with an overhang. This simple trick makes it easy to lift the entire slab out of the pan before cutting great for presentation and easy cleanup.
If you’re feeling fancy, dust the tops of the cooled bars with powdered sugar for a snowy touch. Or, for extra indulgence, drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze or serve them warm with a scoop of ice cream.
Storage and Make-Ahead Friendliness
Another reason cherry crumble bars are a favorite among home bakers is their shelf life. These bars can be made ahead and stored without sacrificing flavor or texture.
At room temperature, they’ll keep well for two days in an airtight container. If refrigerated, they’ll stay fresh for up to five days. They also freeze remarkably well just cut them into bars, wrap them tightly in plastic or parchment paper, and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. To enjoy, simply thaw in the fridge or warm gently in the microwave. This makes them an excellent option for batch baking ahead of holidays, bake sales, or events.
How to Serve Cherry Crumble Bars
These bars are at home in just about any setting. Serve them warm for dessert with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a pie like experience. At room temperature, they’re a classy addition to a brunch spread or afternoon tea tray. You can also cut them into smaller bite-size pieces and arrange them on a platter for parties or potlucks.
Because they travel so well, they’re ideal for picnics, school snacks, or tucked into a lunchbox. They’re also a hit with kids thanks to the sweet fruit and cookie-like appeal, while adults appreciate the complexity of flavor brought by the almond and buttery crumble.
Dietary Adaptations and Variations
For those with dietary needs, this recipe can be easily tweaked:
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Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
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Dairy-Free: Replace butter with chilled coconut oil or vegan butter. Just be sure to keep it cold to maintain that crumbly texture.
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Lower Sugar: Reduce the sugar in both the dough and the filling, especially if your fruit is very sweet. You can also substitute coconut sugar or a low-glycemic alternative like monk fruit.
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Vegan: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, left to thicken).
As mentioned earlier, the fruit can also be changed based on the seasons or your preferences. Peach crumble bars in late summer? Apple-cinnamon bars in fall? A mix of frozen berries in winter? All fair game.
Why We Love This Dessert
The enduring popularity of cherry crumble bars lies in their comforting simplicity and customizable nature. They’re easy enough for beginner bakers but satisfying enough for seasoned pros to experiment with. They combine the best textures crispy, gooey, tender and the flavors of summer fruit and buttery crust in every bite.
More than just a treat, these bars are an invitation. An invitation to slow down, to enjoy something homemade, to share a piece with someone else. They remind us that baking doesn’t always have to be complicated to be extraordinary.
Conclusion:
In a world where desserts often lean toward flashy or overcomplicated, cherry crumble bars offer something refreshingly honest. They’re timeless, approachable, and endlessly adaptable. With simple ingredients, minimal effort, and big flavor payoff, they deserve a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.
Whether you’re baking them as a weekend treat, a picnic favorite, or a sweet gesture for a friend, cherry crumble bars deliver joy one square at a time.