Oven Baked 5-Ingredient Cherry Pie Bars: The Easiest Sweet-Tart Dessert You’ll Make on Repeat

If you love the sweet-tart charm of a classic cherry pie but want a dessert that comes together with almost no effort, these Oven Baked 5-Ingredient Cherry Pie Bars are exactly what you need. A buttery shortbread base layered with juicy cherry filling and a golden crumb topping—this is the kind of simple baking trick a practical home cook keeps in her apron pocket for potlucks, holiday gatherings, and cozy weekend afternoons.

Whether you’re making a treat for a church supper, a family dinner, or simply a sweet craving on an ordinary day, this easy cherry pie bar recipe checks every box. It’s budget-friendly, uses just five everyday ingredients, and delivers a dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This 5-Ingredient Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of ingredients or fancy equipment—just five everyday components and a few minutes of prep. The oven transforms basic ingredients into buttery, fruit-filled bars that taste like a beloved bakery specialty.

It’s also incredibly versatile. Cut them into squares for a potluck, wrap individual bars for gifts, or serve them warm with ice cream. The bars keep well, travel beautifully, and disappear fast.

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

• 2 large eggs

• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling

• 1/2 cup chopped almonds or pecans (optional)

Optional add-ins: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and a simple powdered sugar glaze for drizzling.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, melted butter, and eggs (and vanilla and salt, if using) until a soft dough forms.

3. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish to form the base.

4. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the base, then crumble the remaining dough over the top. Sprinkle with chopped almonds if desired.

5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly at the edges.

6. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze if desired.

Serving Ideas

These bars are lovely served slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of whipped topping. For a cozy dessert plate, pair them with a cup of coffee or cold milk, or drizzle with a little glaze for a company-worthy finish.

Variations & Tips

• Fruit Swap: Cherry pie filling can be swapped for apple, blueberry, or peach for a different spin.

• Crumb Tip: Keep the butter melted but not hot so the crumb topping stays evenly crumbly rather than greasy.

• Add-Ins: A sprinkle of oats or a pinch of cinnamon in the topping adds extra texture and warmth.

• Storage: Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate up to 4 days; a few seconds in the microwave brings back that fresh-from-the-oven softness.

Conclusion: Oven Baked 5-Ingredient Cherry Pie Bars

This is the sort of recipe that earns a permanent spot in the dessert rotation—five ingredients, one pan, and a buttery, fruit-filled bar that tastes like you fussed far more than you did. The juicy cherry filling and golden crumb topping make them comforting enough for a church supper yet easy enough for an ordinary afternoon, and cutting them into bars means they travel beautifully to potlucks and family gatherings. Keep them in your apron pocket for holiday gatherings and busy weekends, when a simple, homemade bake and hardly any cleanup are exactly what the day calls for—and enjoy the fact that the leftovers taste just as good the next day.