Gluten Free Cherry Lime Bars

• 1 stick of butter, softened
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. sugar
• Zest of 1 lime
• 1-2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. oat flour
• 3/4 c. gluten free flour blend

Cherry Pie Filling

• 24 oz. frozen cherries
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 4 Tbsp. corn starch
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Crumble Topping

• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. gluten free flour
• 1/2 c. oats
• 3 Tbsp. butter, cold and cubed

Lime Drizzle

• 1 Tbsp. butter, melted
• lime juice
• powdered sugar

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

2. CHERRY PIE FILLING: In a medium saucepan, heat the cherries, sugar, corn starch, lemon zest, and lemon juice over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes. Then, mash the cherries with a fork. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. 

3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and sugar until smooth. Then, beat in the lime zest, lime juice, and eggs. Continue to beat while adding the baking soda, salt, oat flour, and gluten free flour.

4. CRUMBLE TOPPING: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, and oats. Then, use clean hands, a fork, or a pastry blender to cut in the butter. Mixture should resemble coarse crumbles..

5. Press the cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base. You can use your hands or the back of a spoon to press it down. This layer will create the “crust” for your cherry lime bars. You can also place the cookie dough on the bottom of the baking dish and place in the oven for 1-2 minutes. Then, the cookie dough will be warm and easy to press down. Next, top the bars with the cherry pie filling. Finally, sprinkle with the crumble topping. 

6. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 22-28 minutes, or until the cookie dough is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (you may hit some cherry filling, so just check the edges to be sure). The top should be slightly firm, and the cherry filling should be bubbling around the edges.

7. LIME DRIZZLE: Once the bars are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. In a small bowl, whisk the melted butter and lime juice. Then, whisk in the powdered sugar, until a thick glaze forms. Drizzle over the cherry lime bars. Finally, cut them into squares and enjoy!