If you’re on the hunt for a delightful treat that perfectly blends sweet cherries with a nutty almond crunch, look no further than the Almond Cherry Streusel Bars Recipe. This gorgeous dessert offers a tender, buttery crust topped with luscious cherry filling, all crowned by a golden almond streusel and a delicate glaze that adds just the right finishing touch. Whether you’re serving it at a casual gathering or simply craving a comforting homemade dessert, these bars will quickly become a cherished favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet absolutely essential to creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture in your Almond Cherry Streusel Bars Recipe. Each component plays a key role, from the flaky crust to the vibrant cherry filling and the irresistible almond notes throughout.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The foundation for a tender, buttery crust.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon): Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the crust and filling.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Helps to slightly lift the crust for a delicate texture.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- Cold unsalted butter (1/2 cup, cubed): Creates that flaky, melt-in-your-mouth crust.
- Almond paste (1/2 cup, approx. 3oz): Imparts rich almond flavor and moistness to the crust.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon): Boosts the almond aroma and depth in every bite.
- Sweet cherries, pitted (4 cups, fresh or frozen): Provides a juicy, vibrant fruit layer bursting with flavor.
- Unsalted butter (1 tablespoon for filling): Adds richness and helps thicken the cherry filling.
- Glaze ingredients (powdered sugar, milk, almond extract): A simple, sweet drizzle that ties everything together beautifully.
How to Make Almond Cherry Streusel Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×9 inch baking pan. This ensures your bars won’t stick and will bake evenly.
Step 2: Make the Crust Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut the cold cubed butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs — this method is key for that perfect crumbly crust. Then, incorporate the almond paste and almond extract, mixing until everything just comes together. This mixture will form both the base and the streusel topping of your bars.
Step 3: Bake the Crust Base
Press half of the dough mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake this base for 15 minutes to set it slightly and create a sturdy layer for the cherry filling.
Step 4: Create the Cherry Filling
While the crust bakes, prepare your cherry filling. Combine water, lemon juice, cornstarch, cherries, sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir this mix gently until it thickens and becomes glossy — this luscious filling is the heart and soul of your bars.
Step 5: Assemble the Bars
Pour the warm cherry filling evenly over the baked crust in your pan. Then, crumble the remaining dough mixture over the cherry layer, sprinkling with sliced almonds for extra crunch and almond flavor.
Step 6: Final Bake
Bake the assembled bars for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and fragrant. This step finishes the streusel topping with a perfect crispness while melding all the layers together beautifully.
Step 7: Add the Finishing Glaze
Once your bars have cooled completely, drizzle a simple glaze made by blending powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract over the top. This sweet glaze adds a lovely sheen and just a hint of extra almond sweetness that makes these bars truly irresistible.
How to Serve Almond Cherry Streusel Bars Recipe
Garnishes
These bars shine on their own but for an added touch, sprinkle some sliced almonds or a few fresh cherries on top. A light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds visual appeal and a little extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
Serve your Almond Cherry Streusel Bars alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance their decadent fruit and nut flavors. A cup of tea or coffee also pairs perfectly for an afternoon treat or dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive occasion, arrange the bars on a decorative platter with edible flowers or serve them in pretty individual squares on mini doilies. You can also package them in small boxes lined with parchment paper for gift-giving — these bars are sure to impress!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Almond Cherry Streusel Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or keep them chilled in the refrigerator for about a week. Just be sure the glaze is completely set before covering to prevent sticking.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the fridge for the best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual bars in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for 10-15 minutes, or pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. This refreshes their fresh-baked warmth without compromising the crumbly topping.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries in the Almond Cherry Streusel Bars Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen cherries work beautifully and can be used straight from frozen when cooking the filling. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly if there is extra liquid.
Is almond paste necessary, or can I substitute it?
Almond paste adds moisture and a rich almond flavor that is essential to this recipe’s character. If you can’t find it, you might try marzipan or a combination of almond extract and ground almonds, but the texture may vary slightly.
Can I make the cherry filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cherry filling a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just warm it slightly before spreading on the crust to make assembly easier.
What type of pan is best for baking these bars?
A 9×9 inch square baking pan works perfectly, ensuring even baking and easy slicing. You can use metal or glass, just adjust the baking time slightly if using glass.
How can I make the streusel topping extra crunchy?
Adding sliced almonds on top, as in this recipe, boosts crunch and almond flavor. Also, be sure not to overmix the streusel dough — you want coarse crumbs for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
This Almond Cherry Streusel Bars Recipe is a wonderful way to bring a taste of homemade joy to your table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. I encourage you to try it soon — once you do, it’s sure to become one of your go-to desserts for sharing with friends and family. Warm, fruity, and nutty, these bars truly capture the heart of cozy baking.
Print
Almond Cherry Streusel Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Almond Cherry Streusel Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery almond-flavored crust topped with a luscious cherry filling and crumbly streusel topping. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, these bars offer a harmonious balance of sweet cherries and nutty almond flavors finished with a delicate almond glaze.
Ingredients
Crust and Streusel:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup almond paste (approx. 3 oz)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Cherry Filling:
- 4 cups pitted sweet cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
Glaze:
- Powdered sugar (about 1/2 cup)
- Milk (2-3 teaspoons)
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking pan to ensure the bars don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Make the Crust Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture is crumbly. Then, mix in the almond paste and almond extract thoroughly to infuse the dough with almond flavor.
- Bake the Base Crust: Press half of the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create an even base. Bake this crust layer in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until it is slightly set.
- Prepare Cherry Filling: While the crust bakes, combine water, lemon juice, cornstarch, pitted cherries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, butter, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently until the mixture thickens and the cherries have released their juices, creating a thick and luscious filling.
- Assemble Bars: Remove the crust from the oven and pour the warm cherry filling evenly over it. Then sprinkle the remaining half of the crumb mixture on top, and optionally add sliced almonds for extra crunch and almond flavor.
- Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25–30 minutes or until the streusel topping turns golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set the filling. Once cooled, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with milk and almond extract until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the bars for a sweet, almond-infused finish before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen cherries; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before cooking.
- Almond paste adds rich almond flavor but can be substituted with marzipan or omitted if unavailable.
- For a nut-free version, skip the almond paste and almond extract, and omit sliced almonds.
- Ensure the bars cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
