Cherry Almond Bars Recipe

Flour: The base for the crust, providing structure and texture.

Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the crust together.

Sugar: Sweetens the crust and balances the tartness of the cherry preserves.

Cherry preserves: The star of the recipe, adding a sweet and fruity layer.

Sliced almonds: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the bars.

Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of vanilla.

When spreading the cherry preserves over the crust, use an offset spatula for an even layer. This ensures that every bite has a consistent amount of fruit filling. Additionally, toasting the sliced almonds lightly in a dry skillet before sprinkling them on top can enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch to the bars.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds a nutty flavor and increases the fiber content.

• butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar texture and a subtle coconut flavor that complements the cherry and almond.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds natural sweetness and moisture, though it will slightly alter the flavor and texture.

• cherry preserves - Substitute with raspberry preserves: Raspberry preserves offer a similar texture and tartness, providing a different but complementary fruit flavor.

• sliced almonds - Substitute with chopped pecans: Chopped pecans provide a similar crunch and a rich, buttery flavor.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract enhances the almond flavor in the bars, making it more pronounced.

• Allow the cherry almond bars to cool completely before storing. This ensures that they maintain their structure and flavor.
• Use an airtight container to store the bars. This will keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.
• Place a piece of parchment paper between each layer of bars if you need to stack them. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Store the container at room temperature if you plan to consume the bars within 2-3 days. This keeps them soft and chewy.
• For longer storage, place the airtight container in the refrigerator. The bars will stay fresh for up to a week.
• If you want to freeze the bars, first wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap. This provides an extra layer of protection against freezer burn.
• After wrapping, place the bars in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the container with the date to keep track of their freshness.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the bars at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This helps them return to their original texture.
• For a quick treat, you can also warm the thawed bars in the microwave for a few seconds. This enhances the flavor of the cherry preserves and makes the almonds extra crunchy.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the cherry almond bars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Cover the bars loosely with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until they are warmed through.
  5. Let them cool slightly before enjoying their freshly baked taste.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a cherry almond bar on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds.
  4. Check if it’s warmed to your liking; if not, continue in 10-second intervals.
  5. Allow it to cool for a moment before indulging.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the cherry almond bars on a small baking tray.
  3. Cover them with a piece of aluminum foil to keep them from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 8-10 minutes or until they are warmed through.
  5. Let them cool slightly before serving.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
  2. Place the cherry almond bars in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are warming evenly.
  4. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before enjoying their crispy edges and warm center.

• Oven: Used to bake the cherry almond bars at 350°F (175°C).

• Mixing bowl: Used to cream together the butter and sugar, and to mix in the flour and vanilla extract.

• Hand mixer: Helps to cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

• Spatula: Useful for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl and spreading the cherry preserves.

• Baking pan: The container where the mixture is pressed into and baked.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the flour, butter, sugar, and cherry preserves.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the vanilla extract.

• Knife: Used to cut the cooled bars into pieces.

• Cooling rack: Allows the baked bars to cool evenly before cutting.

Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure out flour, sugar, and butter ahead of time to streamline the process.

Use parchment paper: Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and less cleanup.

Soften butter quickly: Cut butter into small pieces and let it sit at room temperature to soften faster.

Evenly spread preserves: Warm the cherry preserves slightly to make spreading over the crust easier.

Pre-toast almonds: Lightly toast the sliced almonds before sprinkling them on top for extra flavor and crunch.