Cherry Pie Bars

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:

1. Kindle your oven to 350°F.
2. Prepare a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Tend to your cherries – fresh ones need a wash & pit; frozen ones stay as they are.

Crafting the Cherry’s Core:

1. Blend 2 tbsp water with cornstarch until it’s seamlessly combined.
2. 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.
3. Add the re-stirred cornstarch mix to the cherries, and continuously stir as it thickens to perfection.
4. Pour in almond essence, modifying to your palate.
5. 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:

1. Infuse melted butter with all the bar ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Set aside a handful (1 cup) of this textured mix.
3. Mold the remaining mixture into your readied pan and grant it a 10-minute oven session.
4. Layer the tranquil cherry heart over this baked base.
5. Scatter the saved crumble mix atop the cherries.
6. Bestow another oven spell of 28-33 minutes; watch for a golden hue and minimal wobble.

The Grand Finish – The Glaze:

1. 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!