This July 4th, America turns 250—and if that isn’t a reason to celebrate big, I don’t know what is. Our semiquincentennial (say that three times fast!) marks 250 years of independence, freedom, and a whole lot of backyard BBQs along the way. It feels like the perfect excuse to gather your favorite people, linger a little longer at the table, and soak up everything that makes summer so sweet.
And speaking of sweet… every good celebration deserves a dessert that pulls its weight. This year, I’m skipping the pie plate and going straight for cherry pie crumble bars. They’ve got all the charm of a classic cherry pie—jammy fruit, buttery goodness—but with a carefree, no-rolling-pin-required kind of attitude. Easy to make, easy to carry, and even easier to love.
Serve them up after a great BBQ, just as the sky starts to hint at fireworks. Bonus points if there’s a glass of red wine in hand. It’s simple, a little festive, and exactly the kind of moment you wish you could bottle up and keep.
Ingrediants:
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted , cooled to room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh cherries , pitted, each sliced in half
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375℉.
2. Line a square 8" baking pan with parchment paper. Butter the sides and bottom of lined pan. Set aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together cherries, cornstarch and lemon juice. (2 cups fresh cherries, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice)
4. In a large mixing bowl, stir together melted butter and sugar. (½ cup unsalted butter melted, ½ cup granulated sugar)
5. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and stir with a fork until the mixture resembles crumbs. (1 ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt)
6. Reserve ¾ cup of mixture.
7. Press remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of prepared pan.
8. Spread cherry filling over the crust.
9. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over cherries.
10. Sprinkle sugar over crumb topping. (1 teaspoon granulated sugar)
11. Bake bars for 23 to 25 minutes OR until the top is golden.
12. Cool completely before cutting.
