Sweet & Tart Cherry Cornmeal Crumb Bars: A Summertime Delight
Summer is the season of fresh, vibrant flavors, and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of homemade cherry cornmeal crumb bars? These bars are the perfect blend of sweet and tart, with a delightful crumbly topping that adds a satisfying crunch. The addition of cornmeal to the crust and crumble brings a subtle nutty flavor and a slightly coarser texture that perfectly complements the juicy cherries. This recipe is surprisingly easy to make, and it’s sure to become a favorite for picnics, potlucks, or simply a sweet treat on a warm afternoon.
## Why You’ll Love These Cherry Cornmeal Crumb Bars
* **Perfect Balance of Flavors:** The tartness of the cherries is beautifully balanced by the sweetness of the crumb topping and the subtle nuttiness of the cornmeal.
* **Delightful Texture:** The combination of the crumbly topping, the slightly denser cornmeal crust, and the juicy cherries creates a symphony of textures in every bite.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy equipment. You can easily whip up a batch in under an hour.
* **Versatile:** You can easily adapt this recipe to use other fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, or peaches.
* **Perfect for Summer:** These bars are best enjoyed during cherry season when you can find the freshest, most flavorful cherries.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, gather the following ingredients:
**For the Crust and Crumble:**
* 1 1/2 cups (192g) all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup (75g) yellow cornmeal
* 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks or 170g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
**For the Cherry Filling:**
* 4 cups (about 1 pound or 450g) fresh cherries, pitted and halved (or quartered if large)
* 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but highly recommended)
## Equipment You’ll Need
* 9×13 inch baking pan
* Parchment paper
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Pastry blender or food processor (optional)
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your delicious cherry cornmeal crumb bars:
### Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. This will prevent the bars from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
### Step 2: Make the Crust and Crumble
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use a food processor for this step – pulse until the mixture comes together into coarse crumbs.
3. Set aside about 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture for the topping. This reserved portion should be slightly larger clumps.
4. Press the remaining crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. This will form the crust of your bars. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your fingers to press it firmly and evenly.
### Step 3: Prepare the Cherry Filling
1. In a large bowl, combine the pitted and halved cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract (if using).
2. Gently toss the ingredients together until the cherries are evenly coated.
### Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Bars
1. Pour the cherry filling evenly over the crust in the baking pan.
2. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture evenly over the cherry filling. Try to distribute the crumbs so that they cover the entire surface.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly. Keep an eye on the bars during the last few minutes of baking to prevent the topping from burning.
### Step 5: Cool and Cut
1. Remove the baking pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting. This is important because the filling will set as it cools.
2. Once the bars are completely cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out of the pan.
3. Cut the bars into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat slices.
## Tips for the Best Cherry Cornmeal Crumb Bars
* **Use Cold Butter:** Cold butter is essential for creating a crumbly texture. Make sure your butter is straight from the refrigerator and cut it into small cubes before adding it to the dry ingredients.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the crust and crumble mixture will result in a tough texture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
* **Use Fresh, Ripe Cherries:** Fresh, ripe cherries will give you the best flavor. If you can’t find fresh cherries, you can use frozen cherries, but make sure to thaw them completely and drain off any excess liquid before using.
* **Adjust Sweetness to Taste:** The amount of sugar in the filling can be adjusted to suit your taste. If your cherries are very tart, you may want to add a little more sugar. If they are very sweet, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar.
* **Add Almond Extract:** A touch of almond extract enhances the flavor of the cherry filling and complements the cornmeal in the crust. However, if you are not a fan of almond extract, you can leave it out.
* **Let Cool Completely:** It’s crucial to let the bars cool completely before cutting them. This allows the filling to set and prevents the bars from falling apart.
* **Use Parchment Paper:** Lining the baking pan with parchment paper makes it easy to remove the bars and prevents them from sticking. It also makes cleanup much easier.
## Variations and Substitutions
* **Other Fruits:** This recipe can easily be adapted to use other fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or blackberries. Simply substitute the cherries with an equal amount of your favorite fruit.
* **Gluten-Free:** To make these bars gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for binding.
* **Vegan:** To make these bars vegan, use a vegan butter substitute and replace the sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup. You may also need to add a tablespoon or two of plant-based milk to the crust mixture to help it come together.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts, to the crumb topping for extra flavor and texture.
* **Spices:** Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the crust and crumble mixture for a warm, comforting flavor.
## Serving Suggestions
These cherry cornmeal crumb bars are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with:
* A scoop of vanilla ice cream
* A dollop of whipped cream
* A drizzle of chocolate sauce
* A sprinkle of powdered sugar
They are also a great addition to a brunch spread or a picnic basket.
## Storing Instructions
* **Room Temperature:** Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
* **Freezer:** Freeze the bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
## Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
* Calories: 300-350
* Fat: 15-20g
* Saturated Fat: 10-12g
* Cholesterol: 40-50mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g
* Sugar: 20-25g
* Protein: 3-4g
*Please note that nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.*
## Cherry Cornmeal Crumb Bars Recipe Card
**Yields:** 16-20 bars
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 35-40 minutes
**Ingredients:**
**For the Crust and Crumble:**
* 1 1/2 cups (192g) all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup (75g) yellow cornmeal
* 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks or 170g) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
**For the Cherry Filling:**
* 4 cups (about 1 pound or 450g) fresh cherries, pitted and halved (or quartered if large)
* 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in cold butter using a pastry blender or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can also pulse in a food processor.
4. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture for the topping.
5. Press remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
6. In another bowl, combine pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract (if using).
7. Pour cherry filling over the crust.
8. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture evenly over the cherry filling.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
10. Let cool completely in the pan before lifting out using the parchment paper and cutting into bars.
Enjoy your delicious cherry cornmeal crumb bars!
## Conclusion
These cherry cornmeal crumb bars are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of sweet and tart flavors, along with the crumbly texture, makes them irresistible. So, grab some fresh cherries and get baking! You won’t be disappointed.