Cherry Pie Cookie Bars

I was watching Food Network not to long ago and on came Ree Drummond the Pioneer Woman and she was making these Cherry Pie Cookie Bars. Jim was in the room and declared that he and my Dad would like those. Well sure enough these cherry pie bars were a big hit with everyone! I served them with vanilla ice cream this helped cut through some of the sweetness. I will certainly be making these again!

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks plus 5 Tablespoons salted butter, softened
1/2 orange, zested
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons whole milk
30 ounce can of cherry pie filling

GLAZE

1 cup confectioners sugar
1 Tablespoon whole milk
1 lemon, zested

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a mixer cream together granulated sugar, butter and orange zest until the mixture is pale and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time mixing in between. Add the vanilla and mix again until incorporated.
Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add half of the dry mixture to the butter sugar mixture and mix then add half of the milk. Add the remaining dry ingredients followed by the remaining milk and mix until the dough comes together.
Press 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of a 9×13 inch glass baking dish. Pour over the cherry pie filling and spread it out evenly. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough I’ve the pie filling . Bake until the edges and top are golden and the center is set. 35-40 minutes. Let the bars cool and set, 15-20 minutes.

For the glaze add the confectioners sugar , milk and lemon zest in a bowl and stir until smooth. Drizzle over the bars. Slice and serve. Add vanilla ice cream If desired.

Enjoy!

Anne