CHERRY & ALMOND CRUMBLE BARS

Cherry & Almond Crumble Bars

Behold the best treat you'll have this week!  Warm and fresh Cherry & Almond Crumble Bars...

​Sweet cherries make the perfect filling for a chewy and soft oatmeal and almond cookie base.  And these are ready for the oven in less than 10 minutes!  Don't you love it when something so fabulous doesn't take a lot of time? 

Cherry Almond Crumble Bars

I made a pan of these and they were gone in a FLASH!  My gang didn't even give me time to shoot photos, so unfortunately (???) I had to make another pan.  Good planning on their part! 

​If ever there was a perfect crumb or crumble crust, this is it.  Brown sugar, oatmeal, chopped almonds, combined with fresh butter and a touch of vanilla and almond extract, you (or one of your little ones) can crumble this up easily with a fork or pastry blender. 

​You can also make these in a cast iron skillet, which adds just a little bit more chewiness to the bottom crust.  A great little treat when you are camping and don't want to feel like you are roughing it!

Brown sugar, oatmeal & almond crust...

Covered with fresh, juicy cherry pie...

Topped with brown sugar, oatmeal & almond crumble...

Baked to perfection...bubbly & warm!

And of course, the only thing to do to make this any more perfect is to top with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream...absolutely perfect as it melts down over the warm Cherry & Almond Crumble Bars!

​These are pretty rich...the recipe makes 9 bars (perfect size for serving with a scoop of ice cream), but you could easily cut into 16 for bar-size servings or a dessert tray.

​And as I start to get my summer camping & cookout recipes and menus organized, this family favorite is one that is always on the list.  Hope that you enjoy as much as we do! 

Cherry Almond Crumble Bars with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Cherry & Almond Crumble Bars with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

CHERRY & ALMOND CRUMBLE BARS

Sweet cherries make the perfect filling for a chewy and soft oatmeal and almond cookie base and topping.  Topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream?  So good!
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Cherry & Almond Crumble Bars

​INGREDIENTS:
CRUMB LAYER:
1-1/3 cup flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1-1/3 cup old fashioned oats (not quick oats)
½ cup packed dark brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
½ cup chopped almonds
 
CHERRY FILLING:
1 can cherry pie filling
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
 
HOW I MAKE THESE:

1. Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, gently combine cherry pie filling and fresh lemon juice until well blended. 
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Decide if you are going to want to lift these out of the baking pan to cut and serve (in which case you will line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, sprayed with non-stick spray) or if you will cut and serve directly from the pan (in which case you will generously butter a 9x9-inch square pan).
3. Make Crumb Mixture:  in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt; add in the oats, half of the chopped almonds, brown sugar and granulated sugar and whisk to blend.  Whisk the vanilla and almond extract into the melted butter and pour over oat mixture.  Stir until the mixture is evenly moistened and mixed.  Press 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan, save the remaining 1/3 crumb mixture for topping.
4. Pour cherry filling over bottom crumb layer in baking pan.  Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture evenly over the top.  Sprinkle with reserved chopped almonds.  Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until top is golden brown and crisp, and filling is bubbling. 
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.  Serve with vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream – or enjoy all by itself!

YIELD:  9 servings

Originally posted April 2017; revised and reposted February 2020.
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