Tempting Delights: Cherry Bars for a Crowd – A Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Recipe to Sweeten Every Occasion!
Welcome to our enchanting culinary realm, where we embrace the art of sharing delightful recipes that cater to a crowd’s indulgent desires. Today, we are delighted to present a dessert that will sweep everyone off their feet – our scrumptious Cherry Bars for a Crowd! This sensational treat is perfect for any gathering, celebration, or simply to satisfy your sweet cravings. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a delightful journey, providing you with a user-friendly and SEO-optimized recipe that guarantees to create a memorable experience for your taste buds and your guests. So, let’s embark on this sweet adventure together!
Why Choose Cherry Bars for a Crowd?
As you plan your next gathering, finding the perfect dessert that will appease everyone’s palates can be quite the challenge. Fear not! Our Cherry Bars for a Crowd recipe is the ultimate solution to this delightful conundrum. These bars are a harmonious blend of buttery crust, luscious cherry filling, and a crumbly, irresistible topping. The best part? You can easily make them in large batches, making them a crowd-pleasing choice for any occasion.
Ingredients (For a 9×13-inch Baking Pan):
*For the Crust:*
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– A pinch of salt
– 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
– 1 large egg, lightly beaten
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Cherry Filling:
– 4 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved (thawed and drained if using frozen)
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons cornstarch
– 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
For the Crumb Topping:
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
– 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions:
*Step 1: Creating the Crust*
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, ensuring easy removal and clean slices.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. This dry mixture forms the foundation of our delectable crust.
3. Incorporate the cold, cubed butter into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingertips. The goal is to achieve a crumbly texture with pea-sized butter pieces.
4. Add the lightly beaten egg and pure vanilla extract to the mixture, stirring until the dough comes together. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating a smooth and compact crust layer.
Step 2: Preparing the Cherry Filling
1. In another bowl, combine the halved cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and pure almond extract. Gently mix until the cherries are well-coated, and the cornstarch helps thicken the filling during baking.
2. Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust layer, ensuring every inch is adorned with the irresistible cherry goodness.
Step 3: Crafting the Crumb Topping
1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, old-fashioned rolled oats, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. This mixture adds a delightful crumbly texture to the bars.
2. Drizzle the melted unsalted butter over the dry mixture and stir until it resembles coarse crumbs. Generously sprinkle this crumbly concoction over the cherry filling, covering it entirely.
Step 4: Baking Perfection
1. Place the assembled cherry bars into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the crust and topping are golden brown, and the cherry filling is bubbling with aromatic delight.
2. Once baked to perfection, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. This cooling period allows the flavors to meld together and the bars to set perfectly.
*Step 5: Serving and Savoring the Delights*
1. Once cooled, slice the Cherry Bars for a Crowd into your desired serving size, and watch as the crowd gathers around, eager to indulge in the sensational sweetness.
2. These bars are a joy to serve on their own or accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream, elevating the dessert experience to new heights.
Congratulations! You have now mastered the art of creating the delightful Cherry Bars for a Crowd, a dessert that promises to delight and enchant everyone who takes a bite. With its buttery crust, succulent cherry filling, and delectable crumb topping, these bars are a perfect blend of flavors and textures that cater to every sweet craving.
Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering, a casual get-together, or simply seeking to brighten your day with a delightful treat, our Cherry Bars for a Crowd are the answer. The ease of making these bars in large batches ensures you can effortlessly cater to any crowd and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let the magic unfold as you embark on a sweet adventure with Cherry Bars for a Crowd. Indulge in every delectable bite and share the joy with those you cherish the most.
“Ready to Amaze Your Crowd? Get Started on These Delightful Cherry Bars Today! Share the Sweetness with Everyone You Know!”
