Easy Tasty Cherry Crumble Bars (Print Version)
Buttery oat bars layered with sweet cherries and golden crumble topping
# What You'll Need:
→ Crumble Base
01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
03 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
04 - ½ cup packed light brown sugar
05 - 1 tsp baking powder
06 - ½ tsp salt
07 - 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Cherry Filling
09 - 3 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries, halved
10 - ⅓ cup granulated sugar
11 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - ½ tsp almond extract
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - Combine flour, oats, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
03 - Pour melted butter and vanilla over the dry mixture. Stir until evenly moistened and crumbly.
04 - Reserve 1 ½ cups of the crumble for topping. Press remaining mixture firmly into the pan bottom.
05 - Toss cherries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract until well coated.
06 - Spread cherry mixture evenly over the pressed crust.
07 - Sprinkle reserved crumble mixture uniformly over the cherry layer.
08 - Bake for 35-40 minutes until top is golden brown and filling bubbles around edges.
09 - Cool completely in pan. Lift out using parchment and cut into bars.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The same mixture makes both the crust and topping, so you're not washing extra bowls or memorizing two different recipes
- They travel beautifully to picnics and potlucks without falling apart like some fancier desserts
02 -
- Pressing the crust firmly with the bottom of a measuring cup prevents it from crumbling apart when you slice the bars
- Letting them cool completely is the hardest part but absolutely necessary for clean cuts
03 -
- If your crumble mixture feels too dry, add another tablespoon of melted butter until it clumps when squeezed
- Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even golden color