Cherry Pie Bars

Components:

For the topping and crust:

1. Two and a half cups of all-purpose flour
2. One and a half cups of granulated sugar
3. One teaspoon of baking powder
4. One-fourth teaspoon of salt
5. One cup (2 sticks) of cold, cubed unsalted butter
6. One huge egg
7. One teaspoon of vanilla extract

Regarding the cherry filling:

1. One 21-ounce can of cherry pie filling, or use frozen or fresh cherries that have been sweetened to your preferred level
2. If using frozen or fresh cherries, use two tablespoons of cornstarch.
3. One tablespoon of optional lemon juice (for extra tartness)
4. 1/4 teaspoon of optional almond extract (for added flavor)

Directions:

Step 1: Warm up and get the pan ready.
Set the oven’s temperature to 350°F (175°C). To make cleanup easier, grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare the topping and crust
Mix the dry ingredients together:
Mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a big bowl.
Add the butter and cut:
To the flour mixture, add the chilled, cubed butter. Work the butter into the flour with your hands, a pastry cutter, or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the vanilla and egg:
Add the egg and vanilla essence to the dough mixture after beating them together. The dough should become soft and slightly sticky after stirring.
Set Aside Some Dough for the Top:
Split the dough in two. To make the crust, evenly press half of the dough into the bottom of the baking dish that has been prepared. For the topping, set aside the other half.

Step 3: Get the cherry filling ready.
Combine the cherry filling:
Pour the canned cherry pie filling into a bowl and whisk in the almond extract (if using) and lemon juice.
If using frozen or fresh cherries, mix them with cornstarch, lemon juice, almond essence, and sugar to taste (approximately 1/2 cup). Coat the cherries in the mixture by giving them a good stir.
Distribute the cherry filling:
Cover the prepared crust with an even layer of the cherry filling.

Add the crumb topping in step four.
Add the Topping: Evenly crumble the dough that was set aside on top of the cherry filling.

Step 5: Bake
Bake the bars for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling, in a preheated oven.

Step 6: Allow to cool before serving
Fully Cool:
Before slicing the cherry pie bars into squares, allow them to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least half an hour. This facilitates slicing and helps the filling set.
Serve: For added decadence, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Advice 

Fresh or Frozen Cherries: If using fresh or frozen cherries, add extra sugar as necessary to regulate the sweetness, particularly if the cherries are tart.
Make-Ahead: You may prepare these cherry pie bars a day in advance. Simply keep them in the refrigerator or at room temperature, covered.
Storage: You may keep leftovers in the fridge for up to a week or at room temperature for up to three days in an airtight container.

These Cherry Pie Bars are a quick and delicious way to savor the traditional taste of cherry pie on-the-go! Savor their buttery shell and sweet, fruity interior!