Cherry Pie Bars

Nesting Corral ~ Cherry Pie Bars

Yesterday was incredibly sunny.  It was so nice to see the sun again after a few months of darkness.  The sun got me thinking about summer, which got me thinking about summer fare, which in turn made me want a fruit pie!  I neither had the time or ambition to actually make a fruit pie, so I did the next best thing.  I made these cherry pie bars.  These are super easy to whip up, no peeling or pitting fruit, and no crust to roll out.  And they taste so delicious!  Of course you could make this with real fruit, and any variety of fruit.  But I wanted something quick and easy, so I went for the canned pie filling.  The only canned pie filling I really like is cherry pie filling, so the choice was easy (plus it was in my pantry).  The sugar cookie type crust with the sweet syrupy cherries topped with a cream cheese glaze is summer in a dish, a quick dish.   Here's the scoop on the lazy mans (but oh so good) version of cherry pie...

Nesting Corral ~ Cherry Pie Bars

*I only made a half batch, full recipe will make twice as much as pictured

Ingredients
1/2 Cup butter, softened
1 Cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3Cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1teaspoon baking powder
1 large can (30 oz) cherry pie filling
Cream Cheese Glaze:
     6 ounces cream cheese, softened
     3/4 Cup powdered sugar
     1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Nesting Corral ~ Cherry Pie Bars

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

With electric mixer beat butter.  Add sugar and beat until creamy.  Add eggs, one at a time.  Mix in vanilla and almond extract.  Add flour, salt and baking powder.  Press dough evenly into greased 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until edges begin to brown.  Allow to cool completely before adding glaze.

For the glaze beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.  Spoon into piping bag or sandwich bag with a corner cut off.  Pipe glaze in lattice patter on cooled bars.  Cut into squares and enjoy!

Raspberry Honey Oat Bars

I adore desserts that I can also eat for breakfast.  That is, eat for breakfast and it looks like a breakfast food.  Because let's face it, I really could, and often do, eat any dessert for breakfast.  But I like it when no one else realizes it's dessert.  These bars are perfect for that reason!  You've got to give em a try.  They are so simple and good.  Here's the skinny...
Ingredients

2 cups raspberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 11 x 7 inch baking pan.
Using a hand blender blend the raspberries until smooth.  Mix in the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and set aside.  (You can omit this step and use your favorite jam if you like)
Using a food processor, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, honey, butter, baking soda, salt, and vanilla.  Pulse until the mixture is crumbly.  Coarse or large crumbs are ideal.
Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture.  Pour remaining crumb mixture into the pan and press down evenly.
Spread the raspberry mixture on top and spread out evenly.
Crumble the 1 1/2 cups of remaining crumb mixture evenly on top.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until top is golden brown.  Let cool and cut into squares.  Enjoy!
*Strawberry, huckleberry, and strawberry rhubarb are also great fruits to use on these bars.  Adjust granulated sugar amount according to the sweetness of the fruit you use.

Pecan Pie Bars

I haven't posted in a while.  Things have been a little crazy around here.  I have been cooking a lot, just not posting all the yummy recipes.  Now that we are done with a good friends wedding I can come back to the world of blogging.  And I'm coming back with a bang with these amazing, delicious, and delectable Pecan Pie Bars.  Where actual pecan pie can be too rich for me, these bars are the perfect amount of deliciousness  Plus, there's no fussing with a pastry crust.  So the prep time is minimal  I usually have these whipped up in less than 15 minutes.  These bars are perfect for Fall and the crust is to die for!  Whenever I make these bars I devour them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, & late night snack.  Here's the skinny...
Ingredients
Crust~
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Filling~
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup butter, melted & cooled
pinch of salt
1 cup whole pecans
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
Using electric mixer blend together crust ingredients until smooth.  Evenly press crust dough into prepared baking dish.  Bake for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat eggs until bubbly.  Mix in sugar.  Add corn syrup, salt and vanilla.  Mix in melted butter.  Using a spoon stir in both cups of pecans.  Pour filling over the baked crust.  Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool before cutting into squares.  Enjoy!

Black & Blue Crumb Bars

Eat one of these with a good cup of coffee & you'll experience a little slice of heaven.  These bars are good for breakfast, a snack, tea time, & dessert.  These bars are just plain good.  Whip 'em up, you won't be disappointed!  Here's the skinny...
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups flour
1 cup butter, cold & cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups blackberries
2 cups blueberries
3 teaspoons cornstarch
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper & spray with cooking spray.
In medium bowl mix together 1 cup sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder.  In small owl whisk together egg & vanilla.  Pour egg mixture into flower mixture and add butter.  Using a pastry cutter cut until crumbly dough forms.  Pat half of the dough into the bottom the baking pan.
In small bowl mix together 1/2 cup sugar & cornstarch.  Gently mix int he blueberries & blackberries.  Pour the berries over the crust  in the pan.  Crumble remaining dough on top.  Sprinkle with a little extra sugar.  Bake for 45 minutes or until slightly brown on top.  Cool completely before cutting.  Enjoy!
*fresh is best, but frozen berries work great as well.