PPQ: Cherry Pie Bars

in Cherries, Cherries & Berries, Cookies and Bars, Fruit, Pies and Tarts, Project Pastry Queen

Cherry Pie Bars

I was super excited to see the recipe that Amanda selected for this week’s Project Pastry Queen challenge: Blackberry Pie Bars.

Redemption. Sweet, cherry-studded redemption.

Because the last time I made them, I totally bonked the recipe. Hard. There would be no bonking this time!

I made a few changes this go ’round:
– I actually read the recipe before getting started. Knowledge is power, people.
– I made half the recipe in an 8×8 pan with halved fresh cherries.
– I reduced the sugar by 1/3 and used fat-free Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream.
– I only reduced the almond extract by 25% from the full recipe. Because almond extract is magical, especially when paired with cherries.

The shortbread crust makes these bars a cookie-cobbler-pie hybrid. The almond extract and cherry-studded middle layer is a glass of milk away from heaven. The best part? No forks required. So grab a bag of cherries while you still can and give this one ago!

21 comments… add one
  • Those cherry pie bars look fabulous!

  • These look dreamy!

  • Hello dangerous

  • Oh my heavens — these look irresistible!

  • These look incredible! I have yet to bake with cherries this season – that must change!

  • The blackberry bars on Josie’s site have been on my “to-bake” list for a while now, but with cherries? Dear Lord. I love almond extract too. My favorite kind of flavored syrup for coffee!

  • These look great…Love the cherries and almond extract. I love how versatile this recipe is!

  • Those look incredibly delicious!!!! I really need to buy some cherries now:-)

  • Those cherry bars look amazing and I love the way you lightened them up!

  • You READ the recipe first! I’m impressed. I really need to do that more.

    I am on SUCH a cherry kick lately! Need these.

  • ooooh, beautiful! This is a new breed of bar, and it sounds delicious!

  • These look amazing! Pie in bar form. . .yum!

  • I’m not a big cherry fan, but maybe this will convert me! Thanks for such a great idea.

  • These look SOOO good – I’m a big fan of cherries and I love how these bars are just studded with bits of cherry. Yum! I’m featuring this post in today’s Food Fetish Friday (with a link-back and attribution). I hope you have no objections and thanks for creating such amazing food…

  • Angie R.

    Ok, this may be a stupid question, but I can’t figure out where the recipe is, or which one to use with your adaptions. I am sleep-deprived right now, so that may be part of the problem. But I have a big bag of cherries waiting for me to do something with them!!! 🙂

  • just discovered your blog today as i’ve been searching for food photography tips. i’m a portrait photographer and lifestlye blogger and i really want to learn to better style my food. SO excited to see your cutting board tutorial and the tabletop. I also saw HEB in the background….you must be in TEXAS!?! I live in Austin!

  • YUM!!!! Can’t wait to make these! (Visiting from DailyBuzz Moms.)

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