Description
Delicious cherry almond bars topped with a crumble, perfect for dessert or a sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (cut into cubes)
- 1/2 cup almond paste (about 3oz)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (increase to 3 scant tablespoons if using frozen cherries)
- 4 cups pitted sweet cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- pinch salt
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 square pan with foil (leaving overhang on two sides) and grease the foil. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter, almond paste, and almond extract. Blend on medium-low speed until the butter and almond paste pieces are the size of small pebbles, and the mixture resembles wet sand. Remove 1 heaping cup for the topping, set it aside.
- Pour the remaining mixture into the prepared pan and press it evenly over the bottom. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to brown.
- In a medium saucepan, whisk water, lemon juice and cornstarch. Add cherries, sugar, butter, and salt. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, and simmer until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Spread filling over crust.
- Stir sliced almonds into the reserved topping mixture, then sprinkle the topping over the cherry filling, occasionally pinching the topping together to form small clumps.
- Bake until the filling is beginning to bubble and the topping is light brown, about 25-30 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk all icing ingredients, adding more milk or powdered sugar to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled bars. Store in the refrigerator. The bars cut more neatly if they are chilled.
Notes
- Use fresh cherries for the best flavor, or a 1-pound bag of frozen cherries for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg