Tantalizing Cherry Pie Bars
Essential Components:
Cherry Pie Heart:
- 4 cups tangy cherries (freshly pitted & washed or stay firm with frozen ones)
- A sum of 4.5 tbsp water (split accordingly)
- 2 tbsp maize starch
- A generous 2/3 cup crystal sugar
- 1 tsp almond essence (feel free to lavish an extra 1/4 tsp for a richer aroma)
For the Crispy Base and Topping:
- A dollop of 3/4 cup butter (melted to perfection)
- 1.5 cups universal flour
- 1 cup traditional rolled oats (whole grain)
- 3/4 cup honeyed brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- A sprinkle of 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Silken Drizzle (completely optional, but highly recommended):
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 1 tbsp dairy milk
- 1/2 tsp choice of almond/vanilla essence
Steps to Perfection:
Initial Setup:
- Kindle your oven to 350°F.
- Prepare a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Tend to your cherries - fresh ones need a wash & pit; frozen ones stay as they are.
Crafting the Cherry's Core:
- Blend 2 tbsp water with cornstarch until it's seamlessly combined.
- Use a saucepan to mingle cherries, sugar, and 2.5 tbsp water. Engage over a medium flame, stirring now and then for 10-12 minutes, allowing cherries to unfurl their juice and soften.
- Add the re-stirred cornstarch mix to the cherries, and continuously stir as it thickens to perfection.
- Pour in almond essence, modifying to your palate.
- Shift this mix to a flat dish, letting it chill until it's relaxed and cold (around 30 mins in the fridge or a quick 10 mins freezer session).
Tip: For a thicker core, revive the sauce to a simmer, stirring for another minute or two.
Building the Luscious Layers:
- Infuse melted butter with all the bar ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
- Set aside a handful (1 cup) of this textured mix.
- Mold the remaining mixture into your readied pan and grant it a 10-minute oven session.
- Layer the tranquil cherry heart over this baked base.
- Scatter the saved crumble mix atop the cherries.
- Bestow another oven spell of 28-33 minutes; watch for a golden hue and minimal wobble.
The Grand Finish – The Glaze:
- Combine all glaze ingredients, ensuring a texture to your liking by adjusting milk or sugar.
Unveiling and Storing:
Allow the bars to rest and set. For a pristine cut, await complete cooling; if eager, 1-2 hours should suffice. Crown them with the glaze only upon their final reveal. Dive in and relish!
