With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’ve been scouring the web for red & pink recipes. There are tons of recipes for cookies, cupcakes, cakes…you know, the usual suspects. That’s when I decided to switch things up a bit and make these cherry bars. They’re red and delicious, even if there are no hearts or decorations that scream Valentine’s Day. I’ve always loved the cherry and almond flavor combo, there’s just something so perfect about the two. So go ahead, make a big pan of bars for the people you love.

Cherry Bars Printer-Friendly Recipe

From: Taste of Home
Makes: 60 Servings, if cut into small rectangles, 24 if cut into large squares
Prep Time: 20 min.
Bake Time: 30 min. + cooling

Ingredients

Bars

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cans (21 ounces each) cherry pie filling

Glaze

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan and set aside.

Cream together butter, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. One at a time, add in the eggs and mix well after each addition. Add in the extracts and mix. Add the flour into the mixer gradually until the batter is combined.

Pour 3 cups of the batter into your prepared pan. Spread evenly. Now dump the pie filling on top of the batter and spread evenly. Drop teaspoonfuls of the remaining batter on the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is turning golden brown. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack.

To make the glaze, mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Add enough milk to reach your desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars. Slice up and enjoy!