Sweet Cherry Almond Bars
User Reviews
4
Sweet Cherry Almond Bars
Description
This recipe begins by combining halved or chopped sweet cherries with sugar, lemon juice, almond extract, and cornstarch to create a fruit filling that thickens as it bakes. The dough is made by pulsing flour, almond meal, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a food processor, then adding egg yolk, almond extract, and cold unsalted butter to form a crumbly shortbread dough.
Two-thirds of the dough is pressed into the bottom of an 8x8-inch pan to form the crust layer. The cherry filling is spread evenly over the crust, then the remaining dough is crumbled on top to create a streusel effect. Sliced almonds are scattered over the top, and the bars bake at 350°F until the dough is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Once cooled, the bars cut into squares with a crisp base that contrasts with the juicy cherry layer and nutty almond topping. These bars offer a balanced sweetness with almond accentuating the cherries and a pleasant variety of textures. They work well as a dessert or snack and can be served at room temperature.
Ingredients
fruit filling
- 14 ounces Cherry halved or rough chopped (about 2 1/2 cups, pitted, sweet
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- lemon juice of half
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
shortbread dough
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup almond flour or almond meal
- 1/2 cup sugar
- pinch salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 cup butter cut in pieces, cold, unsalted, 4 ounces
topping
- 1/4 cup almonds sliced
Instructions
- Set oven to 350°F.
- Lightly spray an 8x8 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Stir together the cherries with the sugar, lemon juice, extract, and cornstarch. Set aside, tossing occasionally to encourage some of the juices to start flowing.
- Put the flour, almond meal, sugar, salt, and baking powder into the bowl of a food processor and pulse to combine.
- Add the yolk, extract, and butter, and pulse or process to combine just until the dough comes together, it will be crumbly.
- Press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of your pan to form the crust. Top with the cherries. Then crumble the remaining dough evenly over the cherries. Top with the sliced almonds and bake for about 40 minutes until the dough is just golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool before cutting.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 267 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 bar | |
| Calories | 267kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 49mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 3mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 164mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 20g | 40% |
| Vitamin A | 372IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4
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