Cherry Kuchen Bars (Kringle Kuchen)
A buttery pastry crust with a luscious fruit filling and light crumble topping.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course: Christmas dessert, dessert - speciality, dessert fruit
Cuisine: German Inspired
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 272kcal
For the crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 8 tablespoons butter cut into 8 pieces
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- 2 eggs
For the filling:
- 3 cans pie filling your choice of flavors
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
For the crumble topping:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1½ sticks (12 tablespoons) butter cut into 12 pieces
- 3 tablespoons (each) red and green sanding sugar
To make the crust:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
Add the cut butter and shortening to the bowl with the flour and sugar.
In a small bowl, add the vanilla extract to the eggs. Add the eggs and vanilla to the large bowl with the flour, butter, and sugar. Mix this mixture with your hands by squeezing and pressing until it comes together into a soft dough with no dry spots.
Press the dough into an even layer that covers the entire the bottom of the half-sheet pan. This will take a few minutes of pressing and flattening. It will happen. Set aside.
To make the topping:
In the same large bowl used to make the crust, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the 12 pieces of cut butter along with the vanilla extract to the bowl. Use a pastry blender to work the butter into the flour and sugar forming a light crumble. This will take several minutes, but it will happen.
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the entire surface of the fruit kuchen and then sprinkle generously with the red and green sugars, if desired.
To bake:
Place the Kringle Kuchen into the center of the preheated oven and bake for 60 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden in color and the fruit filling is bubbling around the sides.
Remove the kuchen to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.
Squares may be frozen after baking. Wrap well and freeze up to two months.
Keep refrigerated after baking. Keeps for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Serve cold, warm, or at room temperature.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 156IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg