Double Cherry Streusel Bars Recipe Epicuriouscom

DOUBLE BERRY STREUSEL BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (or 325 degrees F for dark-coated metal pan). Position oven rack in middle of oven. Spray the bottom only of a 13 x 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray (or foil-line pan).
• Set aside 3 tablespoons of the cake mix. Place the remaining cake mix and melted butter in a large bowl. Blend for 1-2 minutes with an electric mixer set on low speed until smooth. Stir in oats until blended. Press half of mixture evenly into prepared pan.
• Stir together the blueberries, jam, reserved 3 tablespoons cake mix, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl. Spoon and spread berry mixture over prepared crust; top with reserved crumb mixture and press down gently.
• Bake for 30-34 minutes or until topping is set and firm to the touch. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

CHERRY STREUSEL BARS

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly.
• In another bowl, whisk the egg, water, and vinegar. Stir into flour mixture with a fork.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a 15 x 10 inch rectangle. Transfer to a greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan. Bake at 400° for 6-8 minutes or until firm and dry to the touch.
• Meanwhile, combine pie filling and orange peel; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and remaining flour; cut in butter until crumbly. Spread cherry mixture over crust. Sprinkle with crumb mixture. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before cutting.

DOUBLE-CHERRY STREUSEL BARS

Steps:

• For filling:
• Combine dried cherries, tart cherry preserves, and kirsch in processor; blend to chunky puree. (Filling can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to bowl; cover and refrigerate.)
• For dough and streusel:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with heavy-duty foil, leaving overhang. Spray foil with nonstick spray. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in processor; blend 5 seconds. Add butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Blend, using on/off turns, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add milk and blend, using on/off turns, until mixture comes together in small clumps. Transfer 1 cup (packed) mixture to medium bowl and reserve for streusel. Blend remaining mixture in processor until large moist clumps form. Gather dough together in large ball.
• Press dough over bottom of prepared baking pan; pierce all over with fork. Bake dough until golden, about 22 minutes; cool crust 15 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.
• Add sweetened coconut flakes and sliced almonds to reserved 1 cup dough. Mix dough with fork, breaking streusel topping into small clumps.
• Spread cherry filling over baked crust. Sprinkle streusel topping over. Bake cookie until cherry filling is bubbling and streusel topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Cool cookie in pan on rack. Using foil overhang as aid, lift cookie from pan. Peel off foil and discard. Cut cookie lengthwise into thirds, then cut crosswise into eighths, forming total of 24 bars. (Bars can be made 2 days ahead. Store bars in airtight container and refrigerate.)