Cherry Pie Crumb Bars: Sticky, Gooey Decadence 🍒🥧

These Cherry Pie Crumb Bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and tart, layered with a gooey cherry filling and a buttery crumb topping. They are irresistibly sticky and ooze decadence with every bite! Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or simply indulging at home with a cup of coffee or tea, these bars are sure to please. 🍵✨

Ingredients

For the Cherry Filling

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the Crumb Base and Topping

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat until the mixture starts to bubble and thicken, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

   🔥 Be careful not to overcook the cherries; you want them tender but not mushy!

2. Make the Crumb Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract, then use a fork or your hands to combine until the mixture is crumbly but holds together when squeezed.

   💡 For a more flavorful crumb, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dry ingredients!

3. Assemble the Bars: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. Press about two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan to form a base.

4. Add the Cherry Filling: Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crumb base. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top of the cherries.

5. Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

   ⏲️ Keep an eye on the edges to ensure they don't burn! If they start to darken too much, cover with foil for the last few minutes.

6. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and cutting them into squares.

   🍽️ These bars are even better the next day as the flavors meld together!

Variations

• Mixed Berry: Substitute the cherries with a mix of your favorite berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries for a delightful twist! 🍓💙
• Nutty Crumble: Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) to the crumb mixture for an extra crunch. 🌰
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled bars for an elegant touch! 🍫
• Vegan: Replace butter with coconut oil and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) instead of egg.

Indulge in the sticky, gooey goodness of these Cherry Pie Crumb Bars, and enjoy every sweet, crumbly bite! 😋🍒