Similar to shortbread squares, these cherry streusel bars are comprised of a rich, buttery crust and a deliciously sweet and tart cherry preserve filling. Since cherries are only in season for a short period of time, we love to buy big bags of them and make our own cherry preserves (and then have enough to last us through non-cherry season), but any store-bought preserves will taste great too.
These bars have amazing flavor and the perfect touch of sweetness without being cloying or overwhelming. We make them for cookouts and picnics, but you really can’t go wrong with when you serve thema cherry streusel bars hits the spot at any time!
Cherry Streusel Bars
Yields 2-3 dozen
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups cherry preserves
- 1 cup pecans, chopped, optional
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350º F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on both sides.
- Combine flour and salt (and pecans, if using) in a small bowl
- In a large bowl or mixer, cream together butter and sugars until smooth and fluffy. 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract until smooth, then gradually add in flour mixture until incorporated and crumbly.
- Set aside 1 1/4 cups dough and press the rest firmly into the bottom and sides of baking dish.
- Place baking dish in oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until light golden.
- Remove from oven and spread cherry preserves over the crust, then top preserves with reserved crumbly dough.
- Return baking dish to oven and bake for another 30 minutes, or until top crumble is golden brown.
- Remove from oven before cutting into squares and serving.
Recipe adapted from Recipe