Oatmeal Cherry Bars (Gluten-Free)

Sink your teeth into these luscious gluten-free Oatmeal Cherry Bars. These have an oatmeal cookie dough bottom, cherry jam filling in the middle, layered with fresh cherries and then topped with that same delicious oatmeal cookie dough crumbled on top.

If you have cherries on hand, then you definitely need to make this dessert! I love eating fresh cherries during the summer months, but if you don’t have fresh cherries on hand or they are out of season, then you can just use frozen cherries that are thawed.

These Oatmeal Cherry Bars are best when they’re eaten warm, in my opinion. How delicious would these be paired with vanilla ice cream? Kind of reminds me of a crisp…like a cherry crisp.

Or, maybe add a dollop or two of fresh whipped cream on top. Either way is fabulous!

In the mood for more bars? Check out our other delicious bar recipes here:

Gluten-Free S’mores Cookie Bars

Sugar Cookie Bars (Gluten-Free)

Peppermint Cheesecake Bars (Gluten-Free)

Pitting Cherries

There are handfuls of ways you could pit a cherry. One way, and maybe the easiest way is to use a cherry pitter. You can find one at Target, Walmart or maybe even Bed, Bath & Beyond. Here’s a good one from Amazon. Or, a cheaper alternative would be to use a chopstick or skewer. Choose what method works best for you!

Making Oatmeal Cherry Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Make sure butter and egg are at room temperature before using in recipe.

Grease an 8×8 baking dish (glass is best) with butter or non stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugars together. Should take a couple of minutes.

Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until just combined.

In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add in the oats.

Add this flour/oats mixture to the stand mixture bowl and blend on high until everything is combined well and cookie dough is formed.

Divide dough in half. Press half the dough into bottom of greased 8×8 pan, making sure it’s an even layer. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, while the cookie dough is baking, spoon 3/4 cup of cherry jam into small saucepan. Heat on low until jam becomes a little thinner in texture.

Pour warm jam on top of cookie dough layer and spread around with silicone spatula.

Top with pitted, halved cherries. Layer them in rows so it covers jam surface well.

Crumble the last half of cookie dough over entire cherries to cover completely.

Top with chopped pecans, and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, if desired.

Put back into oven and bake for another 30 minutes at same temp. Make sure yours doesn’t burn, keep an eye on it!

Let cool for about 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Makes 12 squares. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Cherry Bars (Gluten-Free)

Sink your teeth into these luscious gluten-free Oatmeal Cherry Bars. These have an oatmeal cookie dough bottom, cherry jam filling in the middle, layered with fresh cherries and then topped with that same delicious oatmeal cookie dough crumbled on top. 

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 476 kcal

Equipment

• 8×8 baking pan
• Cherry Pitter

Ingredients

  

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 C. brown sugar
• 1/4 C. granulated sugar
• 1 egg, room temp.
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 C. gluten-free flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 C. gluten-free oats, uncooked
• 3/4 C. cherry jam or preserves
• 1/4 C. chopped pecans, optional
• dash cinnamon & nutmeg, optional
• 24 large fresh cherries, pitted and sliced in half

Instructions

 

Making Oatmeal Cherry Bars

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make sure butter and egg are at room temperature before using in recipe. 
• Grease an 8×8 baking dish (glass is best) with butter or non stick cooking spray and set aside. 
• In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugars together. Should take a couple of minutes. 
• Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until just combined. 
• In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add in the oats. 
• Add this flour/oats mixture to the stand mixture bowl and blend on high until everything is combined well and cookie dough is formed. 
• Divide dough in half. Press half the dough into bottom of greased 8×8 pan, making sure it's an even layer. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, while the cookie dough is baking, spoon 3/4 cup of cherry jam into small saucepan. Heat on low until jam becomes a little thinner in texture. 
• Pour warm jam on top of cookie dough layer and spread around with silicone spatula. 
• Top with pitted, halved cherries. Layer them in rows so it covers jam surface well. 
• Crumble the last half of cookie dough over entire cherries to cover completely. 
• Top with chopped pecans, and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, if desired. 
• Put back into oven and bake for another 30 minutes at same temp. Make sure yours doesn't burn, keep an eye on it!
• Let cool for about 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Makes 12 squares. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutrition Facts: 

Calories: 476 | Total Fat: 13.5 g | Cholesterol: 160.9 mg | Sodium: 142.4 mg | Total Carbs: 82.8 g | Protein: 9.9 g | Potassium: 587.5 mg | Calcium: 35.8% | Iron: 11.1%  Vitamin A: 127.2% | Vitamin C: 28% 

Keyword Bars, Cherries, Cherry, Oatmeal

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