Cherry Bars

In the NutriGuide test kitchen, Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas refined this classic Cherry Bars to celebrate vibrant, wholesome ingredients. By prioritizing aromatic layering and precise thermal control, this recipe achieves remarkable culinary depth while preserving natural micronutrients and wholesome texture.

At NutriGuide, our mission is to ensure that home cooking is both accessible and culinary-grade. When executing Cherry Bars, focus on fresh aromatics, dry surface contact for proper searing, and allowing the food to rest before serving.

• (PICTURED BELOW)
• jane kamp, grand rapids, michigan
• Want something simple to satisfy a large group?
• Try these festive fruit-filled bars. With their
• pretty color from cherry pie filling and subtle
• almond flavor, they’re destined to become one
• of your most requested goodies.
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling
• GLAZE:
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and
• sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at
• a time, beating well after each addition.

Chef's Sourcing & Quality Tips:

• Produce & Aromatics: Always use fresh whole aromatics and seasonal herbs rather than dehydrated powders when possible.
• Cooking Oils: Utilize cold-pressed oils with appropriate smoke points such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
• Salt & Seasoning: Season from a modest height above the pan to ensure an even, uniform crystalline dispersion.

Follow these sequential steps with careful attention to sensory cues and cooking temperatures:

Step 1: Technique & Execution

Beat in the extracts

Step 2: Technique & Execution

Combine flour and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture just until combined. 2 Spread 3 cups batter into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan

Step 3: Technique & Execution

Spread with pie filling

Step 4: Technique & Execution

Drop the remaining batter by teaspoonfuls over filling. 3 Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean

Step 5: Technique & Execution

Cool on a wire rack

Step 6: Technique & Execution

Combine the glaze ingredients; drizzle over bars