⏱️ Prep Time: 20 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 35 minutes

There’s something about cherries that just screams spring is here! These Cherry Almond Crumble Bars are my go-to when I want something fruity, chewy, and just a little nutty. The almond crumble topping pairs perfectly with the jammy cherry center, making each bite sweet, tart, and totally addictive.

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*Sweet-tart cherry filling nestled between layers of buttery almond crumble*

I first made these bars after picking up a giant bag of frozen cherries on a whim. I needed a way to use them up that wasn’t just smoothies, and let me tell you — this was the move. The base is a buttery shortbread-meets-crumble that doubles as both crust and topping. The cherry filling simmers with just a bit of maple syrup and lemon to brighten it up, and the sliced almonds on top add that perfect bit of crunch.

What I love most is how unfussy this recipe is. You can use fresh or frozen cherries, and there’s no need for fancy equipment. Just a saucepan, a bowl, and a baking dish. It's the kind of treat that feels special enough for a baby shower or spring brunch, but easy enough for a casual Tuesday craving. They pack well too — I’ve wrapped these up for picnics and road trips more than once!

If you want your kitchen to smell like spring and happiness, this is it. Bake a batch of these cherry almond crumble bars, slice them up, and watch them disappear. They’re that good.

🍽️ Servings: 12 bars • 🔥 Calories/Serving: 220

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups rolled oats
¾ cup brown sugar
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp almond extract
1½ cups cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted and halved)
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp cornstarch
½ cup sliced almonds

Steps

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3

Add melted butter and almond extract to the dry mixture. Stir until crumbly and evenly combined.

Step 4

Press ⅔ of the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a crust. Set the rest aside.

Step 5

In a small saucepan, combine cherries, maple syrup, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat until thickened, about 6–8 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Step 6

Spread the cherry filling evenly over the crust layer.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining crumble mixture on top of the cherries, followed by the sliced almonds.

Step 8

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cherry layer is bubbling at the edges.

Step 9

Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Make it your own!

🌱 Make it vegan
Swap the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil — both work beautifully!
🌾 Go gluten-free
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and certified GF oats.
🍋 Add citrus flair
Stir a little lemon zest into the crumble for a zingy twist.
🍫 Add chocolate chips
Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the cherry layer for a decadent touch.