Description
These Healthy Tart Cherry Crumble Bars combine buttery oat crumble with a tangy, jam-like cherry filling. A wholesome dessert or snack made with real fruit, whole grains, and a light vanilla drizzle.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
10 tbsp melted unsalted butter, slightly cooled
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
3½ cups frozen tart cherries (no need to thaw)
½ cup white sugar
1½ tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 tbsp additional rolled oats (for topping)
2 tbsp milk (for icing)
1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a square pan with parchment, leaving extra over the sides for easy removal.
2. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, vanilla, and salt. Stir in melted butter until mixture is crumbly.
3. Press two-thirds of this mixture into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool slightly.
4. In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat. Bring to a light boil.
5. Mix a few spoonfuls of cherry juice with cornstarch, then stir it back into the pan. Simmer until thickened, remove from heat, and stir in almond extract.
6. Spread the cherry filling evenly over the baked crust.
7. Add the extra oats to the remaining crumble mixture and sprinkle over the top.
8. Bake 40–50 minutes until golden and filling is set.
9. Cool completely before drizzling with icing.
10. Mix milk and powdered sugar to make glaze; drizzle over cooled bars.
11. Lift out using parchment and cut into squares.
Notes
Frozen tart cherries like Montmorency or Morello give the best flavor. Sweet cherries can be used with reduced sugar.
Quick oats can replace rolled oats for a softer texture.
Arrowroot powder or flour can replace cornstarch.
Use any milk for the icing and adjust for consistency.
Bars keep 2 days at room temperature or 1 week in the fridge. Freeze up to 3 months and thaw before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 28