Cherry Crumble Bars – Easy, Buttery Cherry Pie Bars Everyone Loves

If you love classic crumble bars, then these Cherry Crumble Bars are about to become your new favorite dessert. With a buttery shortbread-style crust, a generous layer of sweet-tart cherry pie filling, and a golden oat crumble topping, these bars taste just like cherry pie — without the hassle of making a crust.

They’re rich, comforting, and irresistibly soft in the center with just the right amount of crunch on top. Perfect for bake sales, picnics, holiday dessert tables, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee, these cherry oatmeal bars are always the first thing to disappear.

What makes this recipe so special is how simple, reliable, and crowd-pleasing it is. No fancy techniques, no chilling time, and no complicated steps — just mix, layer, bake, and enjoy.

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Crumble Bars

• Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients
• No pie crust required — much faster than making cherry pie
• Perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and tart flavors
• Great for sharing at parties, potlucks, and bake sales
• Freezer-friendly and ideal for make-ahead desserts

Ingredients for Cherry Crumble Bars

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal later.

Step 2: Make the Crumb Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, baking powder, and flour. Cut in the softened butter using a fork or your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Slowly stir this into the crumb mixture until fully combined.

Step 4: Reserve Crumble Topping

Remove 1½ cups of the mixture and place it in another bowl. Stir the oats into this reserved portion and set aside for the topping.

Step 5: Form the Crust

Press the remaining crumb mixture (without oats) evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish.

Step 6: Add the Cherry Layer

Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the crust, reaching all the edges.

Step 7: Add the Crumble Topping

Sprinkle the oat crumble mixture evenly over the cherry filling.

Step 8: Bake

Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the filling is bubbling.

Step 9: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting — this helps them set properly and creates clean slices.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cherry Crumble Bars

• Use high-quality cherry pie filling for best flavor.
• Let the bars cool fully before slicing to avoid messy cuts.
• Add chopped almonds or pecans to the topping for extra crunch.
• For extra richness, drizzle with vanilla glaze or melted white chocolate.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Dust with powdered sugar for a bakery-style look
• Pack into lunchboxes or picnic baskets
• Pair with coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat

Final Thoughts

These Cherry Crumble Bars are everything a dessert should be — simple, comforting, beautiful, and incredibly delicious. With their buttery crust, gooey cherry center, and crunchy oat topping, they deliver all the flavors of cherry pie in a much easier, more shareable form.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd, a holiday table, or just because you’re craving something sweet, this recipe is guaranteed to impress every single time.

Once you try them, you’ll understand why these bars never last long!