Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bars (Vegan Option)

These gluten-free cherry pie bars have a buttery shortbread crust and crumble, homemade juicy cherry filling, and sweet almond glaze. Easy to make with a vegan option included!

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The Best Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bars

These cherry pie bars bring all the cozy nostalgia of homemade pie without the fuss. They’re soft, fruity, and finished with the dreamiest almond glaze—an easy summer dessert you’ll crave all year. Here’s why you’ll love them:

• Jammy Cherry Filling: Sweet-tart cherries softened with lemon and sugar in every bite.
  Crumbly Buttery Base: A soft shortbread-style crust and crumble topping in one easy dough.
  Gluten-Free & Vegan Friendly: Simple swaps make this recipe accessible for all diets..
  Easy to Make: No rolling pins or pie crust stress—just layer, bake, and drizzle.
  Perfect for Summer: The best way to use fresh cherries in bar form.

Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bars Ingredients

Simple pantry staples and fresh cherries come together to make these pie bars shine. Here’s what you’ll need and how to customize each ingredient to fit your tastes or dietary needs.

Shortbread Base & Crumble

• Salted Butter: Adds richness and that classic shortbread flavor. Use plant-based butter to keep it vegan, or unsalted butter with an extra pinch of salt.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both the crust and cherry filling. Coconut sugar can work for a refined sugar-free option, but it will slightly darken the bars. You can also use monk fruit.
• Vanilla Extract: Boosts flavor and balances the almond notes. No swaps needed here—but you can use vanilla bean paste for a stronger hit of vanilla.
• Almond Extract: Enhances the cherry flavor beautifully. Optional if you don’t love almond, or sub with extra vanilla instead.
• Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour: The base of the dough—look for a blend that contains xanthan gum. If you’re not gluten-free, all-purpose flour works too (same amount).
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the buttery base. If using unsalted butter, increase this slightly.

Cherry Filling

• Cherries: The star of the show! Pitted and chopped. Frozen cherries also work—just thaw and strain off the excess liquid before using.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps the filling set. Lime juice will also work in a pinch.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the cherry layer so it’s gooey, not runny. Arrowroot or tapioca starch are both great substitutes.

Optional Glaze

• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the glaze without making it heavy. For a refined sugar-free option, use a powdered monk fruit blend.
• Milk: Helps thin the glaze. Any kind of milk will work here—cow, almond, oat, soy, or whatever you have.

Gluten-Free Cherry Bars Step-by-Step Instructions

No complicated steps here—just a few bowls, one pan, and a whole lot of cherry goodness. Follow these easy instructions to get perfect golden bars every time.

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment.
2. Make the dough: Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy (about 2–3 mins). Add vanilla and almond extract.
3. Add dry ingredients: Mix in the flour and salt. The dough will be crumbly.
4. Press base: Firmly press ⅔ of the dough into the pan.
5. Mix filling: In a bowl, stir together chopped cherries, lemon juice, sugar, and cornstarch. Strain any extra juice.
6. Assemble and bake: Spread the cherry filling over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough over top. Bake for approximately 60 minutes until golden.
7. Cool: Let the bars fully cool in the pan before glazing.
8. Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract. Drizzle over cooled bars.
9. Store: Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Cherry Pie Bars Tips & Tricks

A few extra tips go a long way when baking fruit-filled bars. These handy hints will help you get the best texture, flavor, and slice every single time.

• Use ripe cherries: The juicier and sweeter they are, the better the filling will taste.
• Don’t skip straining: Extra cherry juice can make the bars soggy—strain off excess before layering.
• Cool completely: The bars set as they cool. Cutting too early makes for a gooey mess.
• Freeze for later: These bars freeze beautifully. Just thaw before serving.
• Glaze last minute: If freezing, wait to glaze until after thawing for best texture.

Fun Flavor Twists For Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bars

Want to switch things up? These fun variations take the classic cherry flavor in totally new (and delicious) directions.

• Mixed Berry Bars: Swap half the cherries for raspberries or blueberries.
• Coconut Cherry Bars: Add shredded coconut to the dough and swap the almond extract with coconut.
• Chocolate-Cherry Crumble: Toss a few dark chocolate chips into the filling for a Black Forest-inspired twist.
• Cinnamon-Almond Crust: Add ½ tsp cinnamon to the dough and filling for a warmer, spiced vibe.
• Cherry Lime Bars: Swap lemon juice for lime for a tangy citrus kick and add fresh lime zest to the dough.

The Easiest Gluten-Free Cherry Pie Bar Recipe

Buttery, bright, and loaded with fresh cherry flavor, these bars are pure summer magic in square form. Whether you’re baking for a BBQ, picnic, or just because—it’s a recipe that brings sunshine to the table.

If you make these gluten-free cherry pie bars, I’d love it if you left a 5-star rating and review below! Don’t forget to tag me on social media so I can see your beautiful bakes.

Summer Baking Recipes

Fresh fruit is the highlight of every summer. Here are a few of my favorite fruity summer recipes:

• Gluten-Free Blackberry Galette (Vegan Option)
• Lemon Raspberry Bundt Cake (GF & DF Option)
• Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Bars (Dairy-Free)

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