Merry Cherry Squares

Brighten up your dessert table with these festive and irresistible Merry Cherry Squares! Featuring a buttery, crumbly crust layered with luscious cherry pie filling and topped with a golden, streusel-like crumble, this easy-to-make treat is perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any gathering that calls for a touch of sweetness. With just a few pantry staples and a prep time of only 20 minutes, these dessert bars come together in no time, offering a balance of tart cherries and rich buttery goodness in every bite. Serve them dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of holiday magic. Perfectly portioned for sharing, this recipe makes 16 servings, making it an ideal crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 21 ounces canned cherry pie filling
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.

Step 3

Add the softened butter to the dry mixture and use a pastry cutter or your hands to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4

Separate 1 cup of this crumb mixture and set it aside for the topping.

Step 5

To the remaining crumb mixture, add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until the dough comes together. Press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.

Step 6

Spread the canned cherry pie filling evenly over the crust, ensuring it reaches the edges for full coverage.

Step 7

Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cherry filling, distributing it evenly for a crumbly topping.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and the cherry filling is bubbling slightly at the edges.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let the squares cool completely in the baking dish before slicing.

Step 10

Optional: Dust with powdered sugar for a festive finish before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1419 grams (1419.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4456

Total Fat 203.30g	261%
Saturated Fat 124.00g	620%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 736mg	245%
Sodium 1837mg	80%
Total Carbohydrate 626.40g	228%
Dietary Fiber 14.10g	50%
Total Sugars 336.00g
Protein 40.80g	82%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 148mg	11%
Iron 16mg	90%
Potassium 758mg	16%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.7%

Protein: 3.6%

Carbs: 55.7%