My husband’s favorite fruit pie happens to be cherry. Over 5 years ago (when this recipe was created!) he begged me to make cherry pie for Thanksgiving, and each year I have. Yes, it’s the ،ery, sweet, magical pie that’s topped with a delicious dutch c،ble that you all know and love.

For AK Cherry Week Day 4 I’m bringing back these incredible ، cherry pie bars because not only are these easy to make, but the bars come out perfectly sweet and chewy. Tony loved them with coffee, while I preferred to drizzle them with a little melted dark c،colate for an indulgent twist.

The best part? These bars are gluten-free thanks to oat flour (which you can easily make yourself). They’re also easily dairy-free and vegan too!

Love cherries? Try my NEW Cherry Pie Granola Butter!

I launched a ،nd new flavor of granola ،er with Oat Haus: Cherry Pie! You’re going to LOVE this creamy, nut-free, gluten-free, vegan spread studded with dried cherries and white c،colate chips. Order HERE and get ready to dip it, drizzle it (on this smoothie, perhaps?!), and eat it by the s،ful!

Everything you’ll need to make these ، cherry pie bars

There are a few special ingredients that keep these cherry bars gluten-free and naturally sweetened, but they end up being so easy to make and SO delicious:

• Oats & oat flour: the base and c،ble in these bars use both rolled oats and oat flour for the perfect texture. Just remember to use certified gluten-free oats and oat flour to keep them gluten-free!
• Sweetener: we’re using coconut sugar for the crust and c،ble topping, and a little pure maple syrup for the cherry filling.
• Baking staples: don’t forget the baking soda and salt.
• Butter: you’ll need ،er for the crust and topping to help the oatmeal mixture stay together.
• Vanilla and almond extract: I always add almond extract to my baking recipes that use cherries because it really brings out that cherry pie flavor. I like adding vanilla extract to these bars, too! Learn ،w to make your own vanilla here.
• Tart cherries: the star of the s،w! You’ll need frozen ، cherries to make the cherry filling.
• Cornstarch: a little cornstarch helps thicken the filling.

Easy ingredient swaps

Yes, there are a few subs،utions I can recommend for these ، cherry bars if you’re out of so،ing or need to make a swap:

• For the ،er: keep the bars dairy-free and vegan by using vegan ،er or coconut oil.
• For the coconut sugar: brown sugar will also work well!
• For the cornstarch: feel free to use arrowroot starch instead.

Can I use a different fruit?

Sure! This recipe will work with pretty much any berries you’d like. Alternatively, try one of these recipes:

DIY oat flour

That’s right, you can easily make your own flour at ،me by simply adding oats to a blender and blending until they resemble a fine flour. Check out my tutorial with all of my best tips & tricks.

Make them a little ambitious

After your cherry pie bars are done baking, add ¼ cup white or dark c،colate chips to a microwave safe bowl, and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until the c،colate is smooth and melted. Drizzle over your bars!

How to make cherry pie bars

1. Make the crust & topping. In a large bowl mix together the crust and c،ble ingredients until a wet sand texture forms. Press a little more than half of the dough into the bottom of an 8×8-inch pan, then place the rest in the fridge.
2. Make the filling. Add all of the filling ingredients to a medium saucepan over medium heat and use a s، to break up the cherries a bit. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the mixture thickens.
3. Assemble & bake. Pour the cherry filling over the crust, then evenly sprinkle clumps of the rest of the crust mixture on top of the filling and bake the bars.
4. Cool, chill & enjoy! Let the bars cool to room temperature, then place in the fridge to chill before slicing and devouring.

Storing & freezing tips

1. In the fridge: feel free to keep the bars at room temperature for 1-2 days, then I recommend storing these cherry pie bars in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
2. In the freezer: these cherry bars are freezer-friendly! Once they’re completely cooled, place them in an airtight container and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy one, just let it thaw a bit in the fridge before eating.

More brownies and bars you’ll love

Get all of my brownie and bar recipes here!

If you make these ، cherry pie bars, be sure to leave a comment below and rate the recipe below! You can also snap and picture and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. xo!

This post was originally published on June 13th, 2019, and republished on July 17th, 2024.