Cherry Pie Cookie Bars are a delightful dessert that combines the buttery richness of a cookie with the sweet, fruity goodness of a classic cherry pie. These bars are perfect for potlucks, holidays, or any time you want a crowd-pleasing treat that’s easy to serve and fun to eat.
The base is a soft and tender cookie dough, pressed into a pan to form a sturdy yet chewy crust. A thick layer of cherry pie filling is spread across the top—bursting with juicy cherries and just the right balance of tart and sweet. To finish it off, dollops or crumbles of reserved cookie dough are scattered over the filling, creating a golden, slightly crisp topping that contrasts beautifully with the gooey center.
One of the best things about Cherry Pie Cookie Bars is how simple they are to make. You can use canned cherry pie filling for convenience or make your own from fresh or frozen cherries if you prefer a homemade touch. Either way, the result is a nostalgic dessert that tastes just like cherry pie but without the hassle of rolling out pie dough or using a pie dish.
These bars slice neatly and are easy to transport, making them ideal for parties, bake sales, or lunchbox treats. Add a drizzle of vanilla glaze or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make them even more irresistible.
Cherry Pie Cookie Bars are a sweet reminder that sometimes the best desserts are the ones that blend the old with the new—classic pie flavor in an easy-to-enjoy cookie bar form. With their vibrant red color and crowd-pleasing taste, they’re sure to become a favorite recipe you’ll make again and again. Whether for a celebration or a simple treat, these bars never fail to impress.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 can cherry pie filling (21 ounces)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract and eggs until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Spread 2/3 of the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Spread cherry pie filling over the dough.
- Drop the remaining dough by spoonfuls over the cherry filling, gently pressing to flatten.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are set.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Feels more like a cake than a cookie. But tastes great.
Super easy to make! I added some almond extract for an extra kick!
Almond extract? Sounds interesting! I might try that next time.
I don’t know about almond. Ain’t that too much flavor? Just stick with vanilla.
Just made these for my kids’ bake sale. They loved ’em! 🍒
Yum! But probably too much sugar for my taste… next time I’ll reduce it.
Too much sugar? I think it’s fine as is! Cherry pie filling is sweet enough already. But hey, everyone’s taste is different!
I totally get what you mean! It’s super sweet. I always cut down on sugar with desserts too. Glad it’s not just me!
I don’t get how these are supposed to be bars… they just fell apart.
Mine came out too dry… what did I do wrong? 😕
Maybe you baked them too long? They need to come out soft, not overcooked.
I had the same issue! Try adding a bit more butter next time. Helps a lot!
Can you substitute the flour? I only have whole wheat flour on hand.
Why use cherry filling? Fresh cherries are way better! 🌟
I dunno, but cherry pie filling is sweet and it saves time. Fresh cherries can be too sour sometimes!
Fresh cherries might taste better, but the pie filling is way easier and still delicious! 🙌
These are soooo good! I love the cherry flavor!
I tried these yesterday, and OMG, they were amazing! The cherry flavor is so rich! 🍒
I don’t get why we have to cool before cutting? Can’t wait that long. LOL. But they did taste good! 4 outta 5.
These are pretty good, but I think 1 cup of butter is a bit much. Next time I will try with less. 3 stars.
I made these for a bake sale and they sold out! Everyone loved them. Definitely a keeper. 😊
That’s awesome! I’m glad they were a hit! 🎉 Do you think I could use other fruits too?
I don’t get why you would use pie filling instead of fresh cherries. Seems cheating!
Yum!!
Sweet! 😍
I followed the recipe but felt like they were a bit too sweet. Maybe less sugar next time.
Just baked these and they came out so soft and chewy! My grandma would love them. Yum!
I’m glad they turned out well for you! These sound like a great treat for any occasion.
These bars were a hit at my family gathering! Everyone loved them!
I dunno if these will work. Why do we need so much sugar? Seems like a toothache waiting to happen. 2/5
Cherry pie? More like cherry flop! I followed the recipe to a T and it was a mess. 🤨 1 star.
These are AMAZING! So easy to make and super tasty. The cherry filling makes it perfect. 5 stars!
OMG these are the best! I’m gonna make them every week now! Yummy!!
Wasn’t a fan. The dough didn’t bake right… maybe it was my oven?
I had the same issue with my dough on the first try! It might be your oven’s temperature settings. Make sure to use an oven thermometer to check it!