Cherry Bars for a Crowd: A Sweet, Buttery, Crowd-Pleasing Dessert

There’s nothing quite like the sweet-tart burst of cherries nestled in a buttery, golden-brown bar. These Cherry Bars for a Crowd are the perfect dessert for gatherings, holidays, potlucks, and bake sales. They offer the flavor of a cherry pie but with the ease of a sheet pan dessert, making them an absolute favorite when you need a dessert that serves a lot of people—without the hassle of making multiple pies!

The buttery cake-like base, combined with the sweet and juicy cherries, creates a dessert that’s both rich and refreshing. Lightly dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with a simple glaze, these cherry bars are guaranteed to be the star of the dessert table.

Let’s dive into why you’ll love them, how to make them perfectly every time, and a few fun variations to switch things up!

Why You’ll Love These Cherry Bars

✔️ Perfect for a Crowd – This recipe makes a large batch, perfect for serving at events.
✔️ Buttery & Soft – The base is like a soft sugar cookie, but even better.
✔️ Easy to Make – No need for complicated steps—just mix, layer, and bake.
✔️ Bursting with Cherry Flavor – The cherries bring just the right amount of tartness to balance the sweetness.
✔️ Great Make-Ahead Dessert – These bars store well and taste even better the next day.

The Secret to Perfect Cherry Bars

If you want your cherry bars to be absolutely irresistible, keep these tips in mind:

1. Use Real Butter for the Best Flavor

The base of these bars is rich and buttery, and using real butter (not margarine) ensures the best flavor and texture.

2. Don’t Overmix the Batter

For a tender and soft bar, mix the batter until just combined—overmixing can make them dense instead of light and cakey.

3. Use Quality Cherry Filling

If using canned cherry pie filling, choose a high-quality brand with real cherries and minimal artificial ingredients. If using fresh cherries, make sure they’re pitted and slightly sweetened before baking.

4. Bake Until Lightly Golden

The edges should be lightly golden brown, but the center should still be soft and moist. This keeps the bars rich and tender.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these delicious cherry bars, you’ll need:

For the Base:

1 ½ cups butter, softened
3 cups granulated sugar
1 ½ teaspoons salt
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

For the Cherry Filling:

2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling OR 4 cups fresh cherries, pitted and sweetened

For the Glaze (Optional but Recommended!):

1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven & Prep the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch or 10×15-inch baking pan (for a thinner bar) with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each.
Stir in vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined.

Step 3: Assemble the Bars

Spread ⅔ of the batter into the greased baking pan, smoothing it out with a spatula.
Evenly spoon the cherry filling over the batter.
Drop small spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry filling—don’t worry if some cherries peek through!

Step 4: Bake Until Golden

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the batter comes out clean.

Step 5: Add the Glaze (Optional)

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond/vanilla extract until smooth.
Drizzle over cooled bars before slicing.

How to Store & Freeze Cherry Bars

Storing Leftovers:

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing Instructions:

Let bars cool completely, then cut into squares.
Store in an airtight container, layering with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 3 months.
To serve, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Fun Variations & Add-Ins

Want to get creative? Try these fun twists on the classic recipe!

1. Almond Cherry Bars

🍒 Stir ½ teaspoon almond extract into the batter for a nutty, bakery-style flavor.

2. Mixed Berry Bars

🍓 Swap out cherry filling for blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry for a colorful, fruity variation.

3. Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars

🍫 Sprinkle ½ cup mini chocolate chips over the cherry filling before baking for a chocolatey touch.

4. Lemon Cherry Bars

🍋 Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the batter for a bright, citrusy contrast to the cherries.

5. Crumb-Topped Cherry Bars

🥧 Instead of a batter topping, mix together:

1 cup flour
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup cold butter (cut into small cubes)
Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to create crumbly streusel and sprinkle it over the cherry filling before baking!

What to Serve with Cherry Bars

These bars are amazing on their own, but they also pair beautifully with:

☕ Coffee or Tea – A warm drink complements the sweetness perfectly.
🍨 Vanilla Ice Cream – The warm cherry bars with a scoop of ice cream? Heavenly!
🍦 Whipped Cream – A light, fluffy topping balances out the richness.

Final Thoughts: The Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion

Cherry Bars for a Crowd are the perfect mix of buttery, soft cake and sweet, juicy cherries—a dessert that’s as easy to make as it is to love. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a holiday dessert table, or just because you’re craving something sweet, this recipe is a winner every time.

So go ahead—grab a plate, cut yourself a big square, and enjoy a bite of cherry-filled bliss!

Have you tried these cherry bars before? What’s your favorite way to enjoy them? Let me know in the comments!