Ginger Spiced Cherry Pie Bars With Almond Crumble And Apricot Glaze

Get ready to fall in love with these Ginger Spiced Cherry Pie Bars! They’re a delightful twist on classic cherry pie, featuring a buttery, spiced crust, a luscious cherry filling, a crunchy almond crumble, and a beautiful apricot glaze. These bars are perfect for potlucks, picnics, or simply a sweet treat with your afternoon tea. The combination of warm ginger, bright citrus, and sweet cherries is truly irresistible. This recipe delivers a sophisticated flavor profile that’s surprisingly easy to achieve. Let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need to create this masterpiece!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 250g (2 cups) All-Purpose Flour (for crust): The foundation of our flaky crust. All-purpose flour provides the perfect structure, ensuring a tender yet sturdy base for the cherry filling. Make sure to measure accurately – spoon and level is best!
• 30g (2 Tbsp) Granulated Sugar (for crust): A touch of sweetness to balance the savory elements in the crust and contribute to its golden-brown color.
• ½ tsp Salt (for crust): Enhances the flavors of the crust and balances the sweetness. Don’t skip this – it makes a big difference!
• 170g (¾ cup) Unsalted Butter, cold and cubed (for crust): The key to a flaky crust! Cold butter creates pockets of steam during baking, resulting in a light and tender texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness.
• 500g (3 cups) Fresh or Frozen Pitted Cherries (filling): The star of the show! You can use fresh cherries when in season, or frozen cherries work beautifully year-round. Pitting them is essential for easy enjoyment.
• 100g (½ cup) Granulated Sugar (filling): Sweetens the cherry filling, complementing the tartness of the cherries.
• 20g (2 Tbsp) Cornstarch (filling): Acts as a thickening agent, creating a luscious, glossy cherry filling that isn’t too runny.
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) Fresh Lemon Juice (filling): Brightens the cherry flavor and adds a touch of acidity, balancing the sweetness.
• 1 tsp Ground Ginger (filling): Provides a warm, spicy kick that complements the cherries perfectly.
• 1 tsp Orange Zest (filling): Adds a vibrant citrus aroma and flavor, enhancing the overall complexity of the filling.
• 100g (1 cup) Almond Flour (crumble topping): Creates a wonderfully nutty and tender crumble topping. Almond flour adds a delicate flavor and a slightly coarser texture.
• 50g (½ cup) Sliced Almonds, toasted (crumble topping): Adds crunch and a beautiful visual appeal to the crumble. Toasting the almonds enhances their flavor and texture.
• 80g (6 Tbsp) Unsalted Butter, melted (crumble topping): Binds the crumble ingredients together, creating a crumbly texture.
• 30g (2 Tbsp) Brown Sugar (crumble topping): Adds a caramel-like sweetness and a chewy texture to the crumble.
• Pinch of Salt (crumble topping): Enhances the flavors of the crumble and balances the sweetness.
• 80g (⅓ cup) Apricot Jam (no added sugar) (glaze): Provides a beautiful glossy finish and a subtle fruity flavor. Using jam with no added sugar allows the natural fruit flavors to shine.
• 1 Tbsp (15ml) Water (glaze): Helps to thin the apricot jam, creating a pourable glaze.

Ingredient Substitutions

While this recipe is fantastic as written, here are a few substitutions you can make if needed:

• All-Purpose Flour: You can substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free version.
• Cherries: If you can’t find fresh or frozen cherries, you can use cherry pie filling, but reduce the amount of sugar in the filling accordingly.
• Almond Flour: You can substitute with an equal amount of oat flour or regular flour, but the flavor and texture will be slightly different.
• Apricot Jam: Peach or orange marmalade can be used as a substitute for apricot jam.

Optional (plan-ahead): If you’re shopping for the week, I put this into a 4-Week Meal Plan + Grocery Lists so dinner’s already decided before your day gets busy.

Let’s Bake: Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures even baking. Line a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13-inch) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This parchment paper ‘sling’ will make removing the cooled bars a breeze.
2. Crafting the Crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon of salt. This combines the dry ingredients, ensuring even distribution of flavor.
3. Incorporating the Butter: Add the ¾ cup (170g) of cold, cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The key here is to keep the butter cold – this creates flaky layers in the crust. Don’t overwork it!
4. Pressing the Crust: Press the crumbly dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to create a uniform layer. This forms the foundation for your delicious bars.
5. Blind Baking the Crust: Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes, or until it’s just lightly golden. This pre-baking step prevents a soggy bottom and provides a sturdy base for the cherry filling.
6. Preparing the Cherry Filling: While the crust is baking, combine the 3 cups of cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted), ½ cup of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1 teaspoon of orange zest in a saucepan.
7. Simmering the Filling: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir continuously until the cherries release their juices and the mixture thickens into a glossy consistency. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. The cornstarch is crucial for thickening the filling, and the lemon juice brightens the flavors.
8. Assembling the Bars: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven. Spread the warm cherry filling evenly over the crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Ensure the filling is distributed evenly for consistent flavor in every bite.
9. Making the Almond Crumble: In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of almond flour, ½ cup of sliced toasted almonds, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.
10. Adding the Butter to Crumble: Drizzle the 6 tablespoons of melted butter over the almond mixture and stir until it forms a crumbly texture. The melted butter binds the crumble together without making it dense.
11. Sprinkling the Crumble: Sprinkle the almond crumble evenly over the cherry layer. This adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the bars.
12. Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly around the edges. The bubbling indicates the filling is heated through and perfectly set.
13. Preparing the Apricot Glaze: While the bars are cooling, prepare the apricot glaze. In a small saucepan, warm the ⅓ cup of apricot jam with 1 tablespoon of water over low heat, stirring until it thins to a pourable glaze. This glaze adds a beautiful shine and subtle apricot flavor.
14. Glazing and Cooling: Brush the apricot glaze evenly over the entire surface of the bars. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for at least 2 hours before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang and cutting them into 4-inch squares.

The Science of Spices: Why Ginger and Cherry are a Match Made in Heaven

The combination of ginger and cherry isn’t just delicious; it’s rooted in flavor chemistry. Ginger’s warmth and slight peppery notes beautifully complement the sweetness and tartness of cherries. The ginger cuts through the richness of the fruit, preventing the bars from being overly sweet. This pairing is a classic for a reason – it creates a balanced and complex flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting. The orange zest further enhances this synergy, adding a bright citrus aroma that elevates the overall experience.

Achieving the Perfect Almond Crumble Texture

A truly exceptional almond crumble isn’t just about the ingredients; it’s about the technique. Using almond flour instead of all-purpose flour creates a delicate, slightly sandy texture. Toasting the sliced almonds before adding them to the crumble intensifies their flavor and adds a satisfying crunch. The key is to drizzle the *melted* butter over the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the almond flour, resulting in a tough crumble. You want it to be loose and crumbly, not a paste.

Tips for Working with Cherry Filling

Working with cherry filling can sometimes be tricky. If using frozen cherries, don’t thaw them completely before adding them to the saucepan. This helps them hold their shape during cooking. If your filling seems too runny after simmering, you can add another teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water and cook for another minute or two. Conversely, if the filling is too thick, add a splash of cherry juice or water to loosen it up. Remember, the filling will thicken further as it cools.

Storing Your Ginger Spiced Cherry Pie Bars

These bars are best enjoyed within 3-4 days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe container. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature for a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different types of cherries?

Yes! Both sweet and tart cherries work well in this recipe. If using tart cherries, you may want to increase the amount of sugar slightly.

Can I make the crust ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can make the crust up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

Can I substitute the almond flour?

While almond flour provides a unique flavor and texture, you can substitute it with all-purpose flour or oat flour. However, the crumble will be slightly different.

A Sweet Ending

These Ginger Spiced Cherry Pie Bars with Almond Crumble and Apricot Glaze are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of warm spices, sweet cherries, and crunchy almond crumble is simply irresistible. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest board for easy access later! Pin it now!

Print