Description
Homemade cherry pie bars bring classic American dessert comfort right to your kitchen. Sweet, buttery pastry layers packed with rich cherry filling create a delightful treat that connects generations of bakers with pure, simple pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Crust):
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons cold salted vegan butter, cubed
Sweeteners:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Liquid:
- 78 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick spray or parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
- Create the foundational pastry mixture by blending whole-wheat and all-purpose flours with granulated sugar in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Incorporate cold vegan butter into the flour mixture, using fingertips or a pastry cutter to transform the ingredients into a texture resembling rough, uneven crumbs.
- Introduce ice water gradually, one tablespoon at a time, gently combining until the dough coheres without becoming overly saturated.
- Strategically divide the dough into two equal portions, with one half destined to form the bottom crust layer within the prepared pan.
- Methodically press the first dough portion across the pan’s surface, establishing an even, uniform base that covers the entire bottom.
- Set aside the remaining dough portion for constructing the delicate top layer that will crown the cherry filling.
- Layer the cherries across the pressed crust, distributing them evenly to guarantee a consistent fruit presence in each bar.
- Crumble the reserved dough over the cherry layer, creating a rustic, textured topping that will transform during baking.
- Transfer the assembled bars to the preheated oven, baking until the edges turn golden and the top achieves a delicate, crisp appearance.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely, enabling the filling to set and the flavors to harmonize.
Notes
- Experiment with gluten-free flour blends like almond or coconut flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Use coconut oil or plant-based margarine as a substitute for vegan butter to adjust the texture and flavor profile.
- Refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes before pressing into the pan to prevent crumbling and enhance the crust’s structure.
- Swap fresh cherries with other seasonal berries like raspberries or blueberries for a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg