You’re just four ingredients away from these delicious Cherry Oatmeal Crumble Bars! So simple to make and so much better than cherry pie, these bars are sure to become a family favorite.
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Crumble bars are one of my very favorite desserts to make. And to eat 🙂 They are super simple and take just minutes to pull together. This particular recipe is a variation of one I have been making since I was about 8 years old. These bars were frequently requested by my siblings and there are so many reasons why.
First of all, these bars require four ingredients. FOUR! With 5 kids, my mom always kept the pantry well stocked and we could always find the ingredients needed. The crumble base and topping is made with yellow cake mix, butter, and oats. The filling is totally up to you!
We usually made Blackberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars growing up but would happily substitute in any flavor of jam or preserves we had on hand.
Awhile back I started thinking what other flavors would be good in these bars and cherry immediately jumped to mind. I used a can of cherry pie filling in place of the jam and oh.my.goodness! I may never make cherry pie again!
These bars are pure heaven warm OR cold. When you pull the baking dish out of the oven, wait just a few minutes and then scoop out a spoonful right from the corner – no one will EVER know 🙂
These bars would be great served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream but are amazing on their own. Reece and Bryce were instant fans. I don’t care to count how many they ate before I packaged them up with my husband to take to work.
Cherry Oatmeal Crumble Bars will definitely be making a frequent appearance (and quickly disappearing) in our home. I hope you give them a try!
More Cherry Recipes
- Cherry Limeade
- Cherry Cheese Danish Recipe
- Cherry Almond Cupcakes
- Maraschino Cherry Frosting
- Cherry Coconut Magic Bars
How To Make Cherry Crumble Bars
Cherry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz yellow cake mix 1 package
- 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 3/4 cups butter melted
- 21 oz cherry pie filling 1 can
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper or grease with cooking spray.
- Mix cake mix and oats in a large bowl.
- Add melted butter, stir until crumbly.
- Press down half the crumbs onto the bottom of the pan.
- Carefully spread cherry pie filling over the crumb crust.
- Spread remaining crumbs over preserves and press down gently.
- Bake for 18 to 23 minutes or until very lightly golden brown.
- Eat warm or cool, cut into bars, and serve.
Nutrition
Elaine Leadem says
can I use just old fashioned oats – not the quick cooking oats?
Valerie says
Elaine – I made these with old fashioned oats instead of quick cooking oats. They came out very good – maybe chewier than with quick oats?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Excellent! Thanks for sharing!
Scott says
Made these. They were great.
Kathy says
Do you think you could use this for date nut squares? Do you have any suggestions for the filling?
Heidi says
Do these freeze well? I want to make them a few days before I need them but want then to be fresh.
CeeJay says
I just threw a pan of these in the oven, but with a black forest kind of twist! I used a chocolate fudge cake mix which made weak with delight as I sampled the crumb mix. I going to serve after dinner this evening, with a dollop of whipped topping. YUM!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Genius! I am totally going to try this!
Jade says
Hi Trish,
Do I first make the yellow cake mix then add the oatmeal or just the cake mix in itself (without the veggie oil and eggs)
Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Just the cake mix by itself Jade – no oil and eggs needed 🙂
Pam says
My husband is diabetic and I’m always looking for a desert recipe that I can adapt for him. This is just the one! I substituted sugar free yellow cake mix and used “no sugar added” pie fillings. I’ve made cherry, blueberry and apple variations. We love them all! I also added almonds to the cherry and blueberry and pecans to the apple, because we really like nuts. Thank you so much Trish for this incredible recipe. By the way, it never ends up being bars…I pack the crumble rather loosely (top and bottom) and we just scoop out spoonfuls into a bowl! Imagine adding ice cream on top! Thanks again!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That is so fantastic and I just LOVE your substitutions. I’m glad you found a way to make it for your husband 🙂
Shelley says
small or large can of fruit filling?
Bonnie @ The Pin Junkie says
These look so good! Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe at The Pin Junkie. It was featured at this week’s party. Please stop by to grab a featured button and share another one of your fantastic recipes! http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/02/friday-link-party-56.html
Jocie@OPC says
woah, so yummy! my mom made something similar growing up with raspberries but i’m a much bigger fan of cherries! Thanks so much for linking up at Creativity Unleashed last week! featuring you on the blog tomorrow. Hope to see you back! xoxo
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s so awesome! Thanks Jocie!
Laurie says
Cherry Italian Creme Soda… oh yeah! That sounds divine! I loved your Tip Me Tuesday link this week. {thanks girl!} Would you like Tip Junkie to feature your blog post to over 200,000 creative women? If you upload this blog post into your Tip Junkie craft room using at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL then I can easily feature it in my RSS feed, home page, and all my social networks instantly. {squealing with delight} ~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/how-to-add-a-craft-room-project-on-tip-junkie/
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
Delicious!! YUM!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Kristi!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
I adore oatmeal crumble bars! These are so much easier with the cake mix…I love it!!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sooo easy! Like the easiest dessert ever 🙂 Thanks Jocelyn!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
4 ingredients… really…Have I told you how much I love you? These are my favorite kind of desserts, simple and so tasty and versatile. How can it not be a win!!! Can’t wait to try this Trish! Pinned it. 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
You are going to love this recipe Krista! So easy and just delicious! Thanks for the pin girl!
Jennifer @ Crockpot Gourmet says
These look simple and delicious! My favorite kind of dessert! And I’m thinking they could also be yummy with blueberry pie filling?! 🙂