Cherry cornmeal crumb bars are a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness of cherries with the subtle crunch of cornmeal and a buttery crumb topping. Here’s a recipe for you to try:
Ingredients:
For the Cherry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the Crumb Base and Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×9-inch (23×23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- Make the Cherry Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract (if using). Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the cherries release their juices, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Crumb Base and Topping:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the Bars:
- In a small bowl, beat the egg and vanilla extract together.
- Reserve about 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture for the topping.
- Press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, creating an even layer.
- Spread the cherry filling over the crumb base.
- Drizzle the beaten egg and vanilla mixture evenly over the cherry filling.
- Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan.
- Cut into squares or bars, and serve. You can dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch if you like.
Enjoy your homemade cherry cornmeal crumb bars! They are perfect for dessert or as a sweet treat with your morning coffee or tea.
