Description
Delight in these Cherry Crumble Bars featuring a luscious cherry filling nestled between layers of buttery oat crumble. Quick to prepare and easy to bake, these bars offer a perfect balance of tart fruit and sweet, crunchy topping – ideal for a snack or dessert that pleases any crowd.
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
- 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 of the bars after baking.
- Make Cherry Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the pitted and quartered cherries, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and vanilla or almond extract. Mix them thoroughly and set aside to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: In another medium bowl, stir together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and salt. Pour in the melted salted butter and stir until the mixture is moist and no dry clumps remain, forming a crumbly texture.
- Assemble Bars: Press about two-thirds of the crumble topping firmly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan to create an even base layer. Spoon the cherry filling evenly over the base, spreading it to the edges. Then sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture evenly over the cherry filling.
- Bake: Place the assembled pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the crumble topping turns lightly golden and the cherry filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Cool & Serve: Allow the cherry crumble bars to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before cutting into 16 bars. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using parchment paper in the baking pan helps ensure easy removal of the bars without sticking.
- Adjust the sugar amount depending on the sweetness of your cherries or personal preference.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend and ensure oats are certified gluten-free.
- To enhance tartness, consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice to the cherry filling.
