Rainier Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

If you’re a cherry lover looking for a fresh twist on classic desserts, this Rainier Cherry Pie Bars Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These bars perfectly combine buttery, flaky shortbread crust with the bright, juicy delights of Rainier cherries, making every bite a beautiful balance of tart and sweet. Whether you serve them at a summer picnic or as a charming finish to dinner, these pie bars bring vibrant color, irresistible texture, and homey warmth to your dessert table like no other. Let me show you how simple ingredients come together in a spectacular way with this delightfully easy and stunning Rainier Cherry Pie Bars Recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role, from the soft butter creating a tender crust to the fresh Rainier cherries that make this dessert sing with flavor. Each element adds layers of texture, sweetness, or just the right hint of tartness, producing a bar that’s as pretty as it is delicious.

• 2 cups butter (softened, 4 sticks): The base for that melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust you’ll fall in love with.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to the crust to complement the cherries.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances flavor with warm, sweet notes.
• 1 teaspoon almond extract: Brings a subtle nutty depth, beautifully marrying with the walnuts and cherries.
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt: Balances sweetness and lifts flavors for that perfect taste.
• 4 cups flour (spooned and leveled): The flour gives structure and a tender bite to your crust and topping.
• 1/2 cup toasted walnuts (chopped): Adds crunch and a toasty richness that cuts through the sweetness.
• 2 & 1/2 pounds Rainier cherries (pitted, about 8 cups): The star fruit, bursting with delicate flavor and a gorgeous pale yellow and pink color.
• 1 & 1/4 cups granulated sugar (for filling): Sweetens the cherry filling while letting the fruit’s natural brightness shine.
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice: Provides fresh acidity that balances out the richness and intensifies cherry flavor.
• 1 & 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch: Thickens the luscious cherry filling, so every bite holds together perfectly.
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (for filling): Enhances the filling’s natural flavor and rounds out the tart-sweet components.

How to Make Rainier Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Toast Those Walnuts to Perfection

First things first, decide if you want the extra crunch of walnuts in your bars. Trust me, you do. Toast the chopped walnuts on a dry baking sheet in a 375°F oven for a few minutes until they smell nutty and look beautifully browned. Toasting intensifies their flavor and adds that irresistible fragrance that will flirt with your senses even before baking.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pan

Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper or give it a quick spray of nonstick spray or butter. This keeps everything from sticking and lets you lift out the bars easily when they’re done. Easy cleanup points, too!

Step 3: Whip Up The Buttery Shortbread Dough

In your mixer, beat softened butter until smooth, then add in sugar and beat until fluffy and light in color. Next, stir in vanilla and almond extracts and kosher salt to add depth to the flavor base. Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, beating after each addition. When the dough is just combined, scrape down the bowl to ensure no pockets of flour hide anywhere! You want a beautiful, silky dough at this stage.

Step 4: Press and Chill the Crust

Reserve about two-thirds of your dough to press firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan. If it’s sticky, dampen your hands slightly — this little trick makes spreading the dough so much easier without it sticking. Pop it into the fridge for 20 minutes to chill; cold dough in a hot oven gives you that flaky, tender shortbread everyone dreams about.

Step 5: Mix In The Toasted Walnuts

With the remaining one-third of the dough, fold in your cooled toasted walnuts. Cover and refrigerate while your crust bakes. This walnut-studded dough will top your cherry filling with irresistible texture and flavor.

Step 6: Bake The Crust

Back to the oven at 375°F—keep an eye on your crust as it bakes for about 18-20 minutes. It’s ready when the edges turn golden and the center loses its shine. Take it out and let it cool before adding the luscious cherry filling so everything stays crisp and perfect.

Step 7: Simmer The Bright Cherry Filling

Pit your Rainier cherries (best done with a cherry pitter or a sturdy metal straw). Then combine cherries, sugar, fresh lemon juice, cornstarch, and salt in a pot. Bring to a strong boil over high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for about 5-6 minutes. The mixture thickens and softens, bubbling up like a little cherry orchard magic.

Step 8: Assemble and Finish Baking Your Bars

Pour the hot cherry filling evenly over your baked crust. Then quickly sprinkle the walnut shortbread topping over the cherries in small chunks, leaving some cherries peeking through — this rustic look is exactly what makes these bars charming. For a subtle extra crunch, sprinkle a little demerara sugar on top. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until the top lightly browns and the kitchen smells unbelievable.

Step 9: Cool Down and Prepare to Savor

Let your Rainier Cherry Pie Bars cool fully on a wire rack. If you’re impatient like me, a quick chill in the fridge or freezer speeds things up nicely. Or, go for the warm, messy-eating option with vanilla ice cream — totally worth it!

How to Serve Rainier Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate perfectly complements the bright cherry topping and buttery crust, adding an elegant but simple finishing touch. Alternatively, sprinkle a few toasted walnut pieces on top to signal the bars’ nutty crunch inside.

Side Dishes

These bars play wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or even a cup of rich coffee. Their buttery, fruity goodness pairs with creamy or boldly flavored accompaniments so well, elevating casual gatherings into memorable dessert moments.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the bars on rustic wooden boards for a cozy picnic vibe or stack them in pretty glass jars for gifting or parties. You might even add edible flowers or fresh mint leaves to the platter for a pop of color that matches the cherry’s festive hues, making your presentation as exciting as the flavors themselves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Rainier Cherry Pie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This lets the flavors meld even more. Just remember to bring them to room temperature before digging in to recapture that tender shortbread texture.

Freezing

You can freeze these bars without losing much of their magic. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place them in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before serving to enjoy almost fresh-from-the-oven flavors.

Reheating

To bring back that freshly baked warmth, pop individual bars in a microwave for 15-20 seconds. For a crisper crust, briefly warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Serve warm with your favorite ice cream for dessert perfection.

FAQs

Can I use other cherries besides Rainier for this recipe?

Absolutely! While Rainier cherries give a unique sweet-tart flavor and gorgeous color, you can substitute with Bing cherries or any sweet cherry you like. Just be aware that darker cherries will change the appearance and flavor profile slightly.

Do I really need to chill the dough before baking?

Yes! Chilling the dough helps prevent it from spreading too much in the oven, ensuring you get that lovely flaky shortbread texture instead of a dense or greasy bar. It’s worth the wait.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

You can try substituting the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend, but results may vary since gluten contributes to the structure. Adding a binding agent like xanthan gum and being cautious with the dough texture can help.

How do I pit such a large amount of cherries efficiently?

A cherry pitter is a real time-saver here, but if you don’t have one, a strong metal straw or a small chopstick to push the pits out works well. It helps to work over a large bowl to catch cherry juice and bits.

Can I add other nuts or skip nuts altogether?

Definitely! The walnuts add flavor and crunch, but you can swap them for pecans, almonds, or even leave nuts out if you prefer a nut-free bar. The recipe still shines beautifully either way.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably joyful about a homemade batch of Rainier Cherry Pie Bars. They bring sunshine to your day with each buttery, cherry-packed bite and are surprisingly easy to pull together. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because the craving hits, this recipe promises smiles, satisfied bellies, and plenty of compliments. I can’t wait for you to try this Rainier Cherry Pie Bars Recipe and make it your own delicious tradition!

Print