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Murielle Banackissa

Cherry Pie Bars

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1 hour 30 mins Prep: 20 mins Cook: 1 hour 10 mins
Serves 9

These Cherry Pie Bars are made of a rich buttery pie crust topped with a maple sweetened cherry filling and finally garnished with a layer of crunchy pie crust. Enjoy these bars on their own or with a generous scoop of plant based ice cream.

Ingredients

Crust & Topping

  • 1 cup whole-wheat flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp cold salted vegan butter , cut into ½ inch cubes
  • 7-8 tbsp ice water

Cherry Filling

  • 3 cups pitted cherries , halved
  • 4 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp filtered water
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Toppings (optional)

  • Unsweetened soy milk
  • Turbinado sugar

Make the crust:

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, use a rubber spatula to mix together the flours and sugar.

  2. Step 2

    Add the vegan butter and incorporate using a pastry cutter or a fork until the mixture forms a soft, sandy texture.

  3. Step 3

    Add 7 tablespoons of the ice cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing it with a rubber spatula to incorporate, until the dough is no longer dry and crumbly, and there are no white streaks of flour visible. If the dough is still pretty crumbly, add the remaining tablespoon of water.

  4. Step 4

    Form the dough into a ball with your hands, wrap it in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.

Make the cherry filling:

  1. Step 1

    In a saucepan, combine the pitted cherries and maple syrup. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  2. Step 2

    In a saucepan, combine the pitted cherries and maple syrup. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  3. Step 3

    After 5 minutes, remove the lid and continue cooking for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time.

  4. Step 4

    Whisk together in a small bowl water, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.

  5. Step 5

    Pour the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan with the cherries and continue cooking for 2 minutes or until the mixture has thickened.

  6. Step 6

    Remove from the heat and let cool while you assemble the bars.

Assemble:

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 350ºF and line a 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.

  2. Step 2

    Cut out about 2/3 of the chilled dough and transfer it into the baking dish. Spread the dough over the entire surface of the baking dish using your fingers. Poke it with a fork two dozen times and bake for 15 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Remove the crust from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 375ºF.

  4. Step 4

    Spread evenly the cherry mixture onto the crust.

  5. Step 5

    Top the cherry mixture with the remainder of the dough, cut into small flattened pieces.

  6. Step 6

    If desired, brush 1 tablespoon of milk onto the dough and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

  7. Step 7

    Bake for 40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

  8. Step 8

    Let cool for at least one hour before cutting into squares. Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Common Questions & Swaps

  • What flours can I use instead of the ones suggested? You can use 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of whole-wheat flour, or 2 cups of gluten free all-purpose flour. You can also experiment with other flours. I find that this crust recipe is rather forgiving and works with a multitude of flours, as long as you use up exactly 2 cups.
  • Can I use another sweetener instead of granulated sugar in the crust? I think any other granulated sweetener should work well in this recipe. However, I have only tested it with granulated sugar.

  • Can I replace the maple syrup in the filling by another liquid sweetener? Yes!

  • If you only have unsalted vegan butter on hand, you can use it in this recipe and add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the dry ingredients.

  • If you don’t have vegan butter on hand, swap it out for the same amount of hard coconut oil + 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Cherry Pie Bars stacked one on top of another.
Cherries in a small bowl
Cherry filling being spread on crust before baking
Cherry Bars scattered on a parchment paper.

This recipe was created through an Instagram sponsorship with Superfresh Growers.

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Unfortunately, we are in the last few days of cherry season.

I have indulged in these glorious, juicy, sweet little gems almost every night for the past month and am actually quite saddened that soon enough they will be off the shelves… However, what better way to celebrate this beautiful fruit than by giving it one last tribute?

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Closeup of overhead cherry bars.
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I decided to do so by using my cherries in a Cherry Pie Bars recipe.

The concept is rather simple. The crust is made of a rich, plant based, buttery dough (aka a pie dough!). It is topped with a glistening mixture of cooked down cherries, sweetened with maple syrup. Finally, these cherries are topped with a little extra dough that is baked to perfection and that adds a nice crispy sweet topping to these bars.

So you might wonder, who is this recipe for? It being a hybrid between traditional bars and a pie, it is for anyone who is craving a pie, but (just like me) does not love having to roll out dough.

These bars are wonderful just as is, on their own, but you can also warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave and top them with a generous scoop of vanilla plant-based ice cream. Sam and I have enjoyed these for dessert, as a snack, and quite frankly also for breakfast!

Well, I have to say this summer has been a very fruit-forward summer! I have made so many fruit desserts over the past few weeks that I sometimes wonder where has the Murielle who was obsessed with chocolate gone…

In all seriousness, I think because fruits are so readily available in the summer, I have just been loving creating content featuring seasonal fruits. Do not worry, the chocolate days are right around the corner.

I really hope you give this recipe a try. These bars are a true celebration of cherries and of summer in general really! If you do give this recipe a try and share about it on Instagram, make sure to tag me (@muriellebanackissa).

Have a wonderful week my friends!

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