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To make Cherry Almond Crumble Bars, you will need: - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup rolled oats - 1/2 cup brown sugar - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 teaspoon pure almond extract - 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract This mix of ingredients makes a sweet and tart treat. The cherries shine through, while the almond extract adds a lovely flavor. If you don’t have one of these ingredients, no worries! Here are some swaps: - All-purpose flour: Try whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste. - Brown sugar: Use coconut sugar for a caramel-like flavor. - Unsalted butter: Coconut oil can work as a dairy-free option. - Almond extract: Vanilla extract also adds a nice flavor if you’re out of almond. - Cornstarch: You can replace it with arrowroot powder for thickening. These swaps keep the recipe simple and fun, while still tasting great. Choosing fresh cherries is key to making your bars delicious. Here’s how to pick the best: - Color: Look for deep, rich colors. Dark red or black cherries are usually the sweetest. - Firmness: Gently squeeze the cherries. They should feel firm but not hard. - Stems: Check for green stems. Fresh cherries will have bright green, healthy stems. - Skin: The skin should be shiny and smooth, without blemishes. These tips will help you find cherries that add the best flavor to your crumble bars. Fresh cherries make all the difference! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, gather all your ingredients. This makes baking smooth and fun. You need: - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup rolled oats - 1/2 cup brown sugar - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 teaspoon pure almond extract - 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan, so the bars don’t stick. Preparing your pan ahead helps. In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir until everything looks even. Next, pour in the melted butter and almond extract. Use a fork or your hands to blend. You want it to look like coarse crumbs. Now, save 1 cup of this mixture and press the rest into the bottom of your pan. This forms the base. Bake it for 10-12 minutes until it turns lightly golden. While it bakes, take another bowl. Toss the cherries with cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. This step makes sure the cherries taste great. When the base is ready, take it out and spread the cherry mix on top. Then sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the cherries. This will form a delicious topping. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for a golden-brown top and bubbly cherries. Once baked, let the pan cool on a rack for 15 minutes. This helps the bars set. After that, transfer the bars to a wire rack to cool completely. When they are cool, cut them into squares. Enjoy these tasty cherry almond crumble bars as a snack or dessert! When making cherry almond crumble bars, a few missteps can ruin your treat. First, do not skip the cornstarch. It helps thicken the cherry filling. If you don’t use it, your bars may turn out too runny. Next, be careful with the baking time. Overbaking can make the crumble hard. Aim for a golden brown color. Lastly, don’t forget to cool the bars properly. Cutting them too soon can lead to messy pieces. For a perfect crumble, mix the dry ingredients well. This ensures even flavor throughout. Use cold butter when mixing. It creates a nice, flaky texture. I like to use my fingertips to mix. This method helps control the crumble size. If you want a nutty flavor, try adding chopped almonds. They complement the almond extract wonderfully. Make sure to reserve that one cup of crumble for the topping. It adds a nice crunch on top! To make your bars even more special, try these tips. Add a pinch of cinnamon to the crumble mix. It gives a warm, inviting flavor. You can also mix in a splash of almond extract with the cherries. This boosts the almond taste even more. If you're feeling adventurous, add a squeeze of orange juice instead of lemon. It brightens the cherry flavor nicely. Finally, consider topping the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It balances the sweet and tart flavors beautifully. Pro Tips Use Fresh Cherries: For the best flavor and texture, opt for fresh cherries when they are in season. They add a vibrant taste and juicy texture to the bars. Customize Your Nuts: Feel free to add chopped almonds or other nuts to the crumble topping for an extra crunch and flavor boost. Let Them Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, even slices. This will help the filling set properly. Serve with Ice Cream: These crumble bars pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience. {{image_2}} You can change the cherries to other fruits. Try using blueberries, raspberries, or peaches. These fruits give a fresh twist to the bars. Just keep the same amount of fruit. You can also mix different fruits for more flavor. The mix of sweet and tart will taste great. If you need a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour. Use a gluten-free flour blend instead. Make sure the blend has xanthan gum for better texture. You can also use almond flour for a nutty taste. This keeps the bars soft and chewy. To make these bars nut-free, skip the almond extract. You can use vanilla extract instead. This still adds sweet flavor without nuts. If you want a bit of crunch, try sunflower seeds. They add a nice texture without the nuts. To keep your cherry almond crumble bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps protect them from air and moisture. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to store them longer, refrigeration is a good option. They can last up to a week in the fridge. Just remember to let them cool fully before storing. If you want to enjoy warm bars, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bars on a baking sheet and heat for about 8-10 minutes. This warms them through and makes the topping crispy again. You can also use a microwave, but keep the time short. Heat for 15-20 seconds, so they don’t get too soft. Freezing is a great way to save your cherry almond crumble bars. First, cut them into individual bars. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge. You can reheat them as mentioned before for the best taste. Yes, you can use frozen cherries. They work just as well as fresh ones. When using frozen cherries, do not thaw them beforehand. Just toss them with cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract straight from the freezer. This keeps the cherries juicy and flavorful while baking. You will know the bars are done when the topping is golden brown. Look for the cherries to be bubbly, which shows they are cooked through. The edges may also pull away slightly from the pan. If you insert a toothpick, it should come out clean from the crumble. To cut crumble bars, let them cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. This helps them firm up. Use a sharp knife for clean cuts. Run the knife along the edges first, then slice into squares. For perfect shapes, wipe the knife between cuts. Enjoy your neat, delicious bars! In this blog post, I covered the key ingredients and substitutions for your crumble. I shared step-by-step instructions to ensure perfect baking. I highlighted tips for avoiding common mistakes and enhancing flavor and texture. Variations allow you to be creative with seasonal fruits and dietary needs. I also provided best storage practices and answered your burning FAQs. With these insights, you can bake delicious crumble bars that everyone will love. Enjoy your baking adventure!

Cherry Almond Crumble Bars

Delicious bars with a cherry filling and almond crumble topping.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 2 cup rolled oats
  • 1 2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9 inch baking pan and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
  • Pour in the melted butter and almond extract. Use a fork or your fingertips to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Reserve 1 cup of the crumble mixture and press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.
  • In a separate bowl, toss the cherries, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract together until the cherries are well coated.
  • Remove the baked base from the oven and evenly distribute the cherry mixture over the crust.
  • Sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture over the cherries, covering them completely.
  • Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherries are bubbly.
  • Allow cooling in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into bars.

Notes

Allow to cool completely before cutting for best results.
Keyword almond, bars, cherry, crumble, dessert