Need a dessert recipe that is quick to put together? These Easy Cherry Bars are full of flavor and starts with a sugar cookie mix! Only 4 ingredients and you have a dessert recipe ready for the oven. Simply delicious!
Oh the taste of cherry.
These easy cherry bars are just that - easy! This dessert recipe starts with a sugar cookie mix and is topped with cherry pie filling. You know when you have company coming over and you don't know what to make for dessert?
These bars would be it.
Why you will love this recipe
- This dessert only has 4 ingredients
- It's so flavorful
- It presents well for guests
- You can top it with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping
Sugar cookie dough
To start this recipe, the base is a sugar cookie mix. If you have a favorite sugar cookie recipe, you can use that. I went with a prepackaged mix because I knew that I wanted something fast and simple.
It doesn't matter what package you use, but be sure to follow the instructions on the back of the bag and adjust accordingly. For this recipe, I used a Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix so the ingredients follow the recipe on the back of the bag.
Ingredients
- Sugar cookie mix
- Margarine
- Egg
- Cherry pie filling
How to make easy cherry bars
For starters, you will want to make up the base of the dessert, the sugar cookie mix.
The Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix only calls for melted butter and egg so the mixing of ingredients is quite simple. It also suggests to add a little flour to the mixture if you want to. That is completely optional.
Lining the pan
If you want to be able to lift the bars out to cut them, line the pan with foil before placing the cookie dough in the pan. It isn't necessary, but it does make cutting the bars and serving them easier.
Spread the cookie dough on the bottom of the pan but you will only use about ¾ of the cookie dough. The rest will be used to sprinkle on top of the cherry dessert for like a topping.
Baking
Baking the cherry bars will take about 35-45 minutes at 375*. The cherries will be slightly bubbling and the cookie dough on top will be firm and starting to turn light brown.
Storage
Store these bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
FAQ
Yes you can!
Yes. The best way is to let the bars cool on the counter for 30 minutes then place in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours to chill. Then the bars will cut well for serving.
Toppings
This cherry dessert can be topped with vanilla ice cream because they are a lot like cherry pie bars. What goes great with cherry pie? Ice cream! Here is a recipe for homemade ice cream.
Whipped topping would be great as well. My family ate the bars plain, but would have gladly enjoyed either of those toppings on the bars.
Other fruit dessert recipes
Pin for later!
These cherry bars will be enjoyed by the whole family. Such a simple recipe and easy to make, these bars will become a go-to when you need a dessert!
Easy Cherry Bars
Equipment
- 1 9 inch square pan
Ingredients
- 21 oz cherry pie filling
- 17.5 oz sugar cookie mix prepackaged
- ½ cup margarine melted
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°
- Line a 9 inch square baking dish with foil (if desired). If not, lightly grease bottom of pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together sugar cookie mix, melted butter and egg and stir until well blended.
- Press down ¾ of the batter on the bottom of square baking dish. Reserve the other ¼ for the topping.
- Pour cherry pie filling on top of cookie dough.
- Sprinkle remaining dough over the top of the cherries. It won't cover the entire top.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until cherry topping is starting to bubble and the cookie dough on top is turning golden brown.
- Remove from oven.
- Let cool on counter for 30 minutes then place in fridge for up to 2 hours.
- Remove from fridge and slice. Serve.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment!