Cherry Pie Crumb Bars

There’s something about cherry season that just pulls you into the kitchen. I first made these Cherry Pie Crumb Bars on a whim with a few too-soft cherries and a craving for pie—but not the patience for one. The result? Cherry Pie Crumb Bars that are buttery, jammy, golden-topped, and taste like summer with every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Crumb Bars

These Cherry Pie Crumb Bars are a total treat with minimal effort. No rolling pins, no pie crust drama—just simple ingredients that bake into a bakery-worthy dessert. You get the rich, sweet-tart flavor of cherry pie with a tender, buttery crumb topping. They’re freezer-friendly, picnic-perfect, and super easy to scale up for gatherings. Whether you use fresh or frozen cherries, they never disappoint.

Whether you’re baking for a picnic, prepping ahead for guests, or just craving something fruity and nostalgic, Cherry Pie Crumb Bars hit the spot every time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cherry Filling

You’ll need about 2 cups of fresh cherries, pitted and halved. If cherries are out of season, frozen (thawed and drained) cherries work great. Toss them with a little cornstarch, lemon juice, and sugar—this combo thickens the filling and brightens the flavor.

• 2 cups cherries (fresh or frozen, halved and pitted)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Crumb Dough

The magic is in the buttery crumb. All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and a bit of baking soda + baking powder keep it light. Melted unsalted butter binds it all without the need for a mixer. Want a richer depth? Swap half the sugar for brown sugar. For gluten-free needs, a 1:1 flour blend works beautifully.

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free substitute)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (or half granulated, half brown sugar)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

How to Make Cherry Pie Crumb Bars

Making Cherry Pie Crumb Bars is quick, satisfying, and doesn’t require any fancy tools. Everything comes together in just one bowl and a baking pan—perfect for real-life kitchens. Here’s how to make these buttery, fruity bars step-by-step:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment and butter it lightly.
2. In a bowl, mix the cherries with cornstarch and lemon juice. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together the melted butter and ½ cup sugar.
4. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, mixing with a fork until large crumbs form.
5. Reserve ¾ cup of the crumb mixture. Press the rest into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
6. Spread the cherry mixture evenly over the crust.
7. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs and 1 teaspoon sugar on top.
8. Bake for 23–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and edges are set.
9. Cool completely before slicing for neat, clean bars.

Tips for Perfect Crumb Bars

• Use room-temp melted butter—not hot!—for ideal crumb formation.
• Stir the dough with a fork, not a spoon. It helps create those irresistible crumbles.
• Cool completely before slicing so they don’t fall apart.
• Change it up with seasonal fruits like blueberries, apricots, or peaches.
• Double the recipe for a crowd and bake it in a 9×13 pan (35–40 min).

FAQ: Cherry Crumb Bars

More Easy Summer Desserts

If you’re loving these, you might want to try making your own homemade cherry pie filling for next time, or even bake the best cherry pie recipe when you’re up for a classic. For something lighter, this easy cherry syrup recipe makes a refreshing topping for yogurt or ice cream.

And if you want more ideas, check out what’s fresh and fruity over on Pinterest or get inspired by what’s baking on Facebook.

Print