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Cherry Almond Bars

Thanksgiving is done…let the Christmas baking begin! I’m kicking off the best baking season with these delicious and easy Cherry Almond Bars. With all there is to be done during the holidays, bar cookies are perfect! They go together in a snap and one batch typically makes a lot.

This Cherry Almond Bars Recipe came from the Gooseberry Patch Christmas Book. And are lightened up with Truvia Baking Blend, which has a sugar-like taste and texture in recipes, but with 75% fewer calories per serving than sugar. Truvia Baking Blend can be substituted for sugar in any recipe by simply using half as much as you would sugar.

Let’s gather our ingredients…

Cherry Almond Bars Ingredients

  • Truvia Baking Blend
  • Shortening
  • Flour
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Almond Extract
  • Salt
  • Cherry Pie Filling

Before we get started, I have to show you my early Christmas present. While Doug and I were doing a little Black Friday shopping at our local outlet mall, we came across this beauty! Now, if you have been around for awhile, you may remember that I did not own a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, and even made Homemade Marshmallows with a hand mixer.

I named her Mabel, yes she even has a name…bakers are crazy like that! Mabel is a Professional 600 series and she came with 3 attachments! I couldn’t be more excited!  Now…let’s make some Cherry Almond Bars

Combine the shortening and Truvia Baking Blend until creamed together well

Add the flour, eggs, extracts and salt until well combined. The dough will form into a ball.

Press about 3/4 of the dough into a greased 15×10 jelly roll pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spread the Cherry Pie Filling onto the dough

And dot with remaining dough

Bake for about 30-40 minutes, let cool about 15 minutes and then drizzle with Almond Glaze.

Cherry Almond Bars

Cherry Almond Bars

Yield: 30-36 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Easy and delicious bar cookies that are perfect for Holiday baking or great anytime of year. Recipe from HoosierHomemade.com. Adapted from Gooseberry Patch Christmas Book

Ingredients

Cherry Almond Bars

  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 cup Truvia Baking Blend or 2 cups sugar
  • 3 cups flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling

Almond Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 15x10 jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray
  2. Combine shortening and Truvia Baking Blend and mix until creamed together
  3. Add flour, eggs, vanilla, almond extract and salt, combine well
  4. Press about 3/4 of dough into prepared pan
  5. Spread on cherry pie filling
  6. Dot with remaining dough
  7. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until golden brown
  8. Cool about 15 minutes
  9. Drizzle with Almond Glaze, cut into bars to serve

Notes

These bar cookies also freeze well. Wrap in plastic and freeze in airtight container.

For more recipes, visit Truvia.com, follow Truvia on Facebook and Twitter

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Truvia. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Truvia

Linking to…Gooseberry Patch, Ingredient Spotlight

 

14 Comments

  1. Could I use half butter/half shortening? This looks yummy!! Thanks, Shannon.

    1. Sure Shannon, that would be fine. The cookie part might be a little more buttery tasting, but it should be fine.
      Happy Baking!
      ~Liz

  2. I have been watching this bars for many time… I need to do it and enjoy it.. thanks to share and Merry Christmas…

  3. I named my mixer Ethel. Curious how both the names comes from a certain era. 🙂 I’m making these to send to my son-in-law in Afghanistan. I thought they’d be a nice surprise and am hoping they’ll travel well. Thanks for the yumminess!

  4. If I wanted to use real sugar, would I need to change the measurements?

    1. Well, I suppose I should read better before I ask a pointless question. I just re-read your post and found the answer. Thank you! I think I need to go to bed. 😉

  5. These look delicious. I love cherry anything.

    I also like that pouring spout on the Truvia. Very helpful.

    1. Thanks so much! These are a little addicting! And yes, I agree…love the pour spout.
      ~Liz

    1. Hi Cathy, Cherry and almond are one of my favorite combos too!
      Thanks for stopping by!
      ~Liz

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