I went for a walk this morning, and randomly decided to start running instead of walking. Look, healthy me! I ran for a little over a mile, and it took me exactly the same amount of time it takes me to walk the same route. How pathetic is that? Maybe “run” is not even the appropriate word here, more like “fast walking with some knee lifting??”
And now here I am hours later. My whole body hurts and I have a legit headache. Anyone who says exercising is good for you clearly hasn’t lived in my body. I’m know, I know, I’m only kidding, exercise is great, blah blah. But this baby is almost 3 months old now and I’ve got to get my rear in gear or people are going to think I’m pregnant for the rest of my life.
I was reading my friend Christine’s post yesterday about how she makes a habit of exercise. She listed off all the excuses she usually makes for not exercising, like being too tired, or not having time, etc etc. I’ve literally used every single one of the excuses she listed! Am I predictable or what. Isn’t having a bloodsucking newborn baby a good excuse?? I guess not. So knee-lift walking I go!
Homemade Cherry Pie Bars
I like to round out my 1 mile walk-jogs with some ultra buttery Cherry Pie Bars, because balance.
Really I should call these Cherry Pie Shortbread Bars, because the crust is very similar to shortbread, plus an egg and some baking powder. If you’ve made my Cranberry Shortbread Bars or these Apple Pie Bars, you will know what kind of crust-crumble situation you are in for with these cherry pie bars. They are SOOO good.
How to make Cherry Pie Bars
First we start off with a ton of butter. One pound, to be exact. Beat it up until is is smooth and creamy, then add in some sugar, almond and vanilla extract, and an egg. You can use all vanilla extract and omit the almond, if you are not into the cherry-almond flavor combo. I love the subtle flavor it adds.
Add in your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. (There is only a 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder in this recipe. It gives the crust a little bit of a lift, but it’s not enough to turn these bars into something cakey. The crust and topping are closer to a shortbread cookie than a cake.)
Press 2/3 of the dough into a 9×13 inch pan and bake. Once it’s nice and golden, take it out and add 2 cans of cherry pie filling. I used the Lucky Leaf brand, (it has cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and food coloring, which is pretty much the same ingredients I’d be using making it at home.) I don’t usually use any other type of pie filling from a can (apple pie filling from a can is abominable, for example) but cherry pie filling is a pretty good match to what you can make at home. So save yourself some time! Use the remaining 1/3 of the dough from earlier and crumble over the top of the cherry pie filling. Pop it in the oven and voila! Cherry pie bars.
But wait. It gets even better. Combine some powdered sugar with a little milk and drizzle it over the top of your cooled bars. On the left: how much glaze I pretend to put on my cherry pie bars. On the right: how much glaze I actually put on.
These cherry pie bars are a great last minute dessert to make when you don’t feel like going to the store. All you need to do is make sure you keep 2 cans of cherry pie filling tucked away in your pantry! The rest of the ingredients are pantry staples. I bet no one is stockpiling cherry pie filling, so you could probably even find it at the store right now! ;)
More pie recipes you are going to love!
No Bake Cherry Cream Cheese Pie « the easiest no bake cheesecake ever. Cherry Pie for 4th of July! « so festive! Strawberry Rhubarb Pie « one of my absolute FAVORITE pies Cranberry Shortbread Bars « these went crazy over the holidays last year. They are so perfect! Cranberry Cherry Pie with Almond Glaze « I love the cranberry cherry combo! So good! Apple Pie Bars « Better than apple pie. For sure. Sorry apple pie, you don’t have as much butter as this crust!! The Best Lemon Bars « This is my favorite dessert. Toss up between these and fudgy brownies. Gooey Pecan Pie Bars with Toffee « Make these for Thanksgiving! Or literally any day ever. Raspberry Cheesecake Bars « the easiest cheesecake ever! Blueberry Crumble Bars from Brown Eyed Baker No Bake Banana Cream Pie Bars from Love From the Oven Fresh Peach Pie Bars from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
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