Can I use fresh cherries instead of canned?

Yes, but fresh cherries should be cooked down with sugar first to mimic the consistency of pie filling.

How long do cherry bars stay fresh?

They last about 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge. For longer storage, freezing is best.

Absolutely. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving.

Use a sharp knife and let the bars cool completely before slicing. Wiping the knife between cuts keeps edges neat.

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Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive dessert made with buttery dough and sweet-tart cherry filling, perfect for holiday gatherings and gifting.

Scale

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
Optional: 1/2 cup slivered almonds, 1/2 cup shredded coconut, or 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Powdered sugar for dusting

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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in almond extract.
In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Gradually add to wet mixture until incorporated.
Spread two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan to form the base.
Evenly spread the cherry pie filling over the dough.
Dollop the remaining dough over the filling, leaving gaps for cherries to peek through.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until lightly golden on top.
Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Find it online: https://recipeeasily.com/christmas-cherry-bars-recipe/