Gluten Free Cherry Lime Bars are the ultimate hybrid dessert: part cookie, part pie, all delicious. They offer a burst of fruity sweetness with the rich, buttery flavor of cookie dough. Plus, they’re easy to make, easy to share, and easy to eat—making them the perfect treat for any occasion, whether it’s a weeknight craving, a holiday get-together, or a bake sale.

With minimal effort and maximum flavor, these cherry lime cookie bars are bound to be a crowd-pleaser. So, the next time you’re craving something sweet, don’t hesitate to whip up a batch of these irresistible cookie bars—you won’t regret it!

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Why You’ll Love Cherry Pie Cookie Bars

1. No Pie Crust Fuss: One of the best things about these cookie bars is that they skip the traditional pie crust. Instead, the base is made from a soft, buttery cookie dough that’s easy to prepare and doesn’t require any rolling or chilling. It’s the perfect shortcut to getting that pie-like flavor without the extra work.
   
   
2. Perfectly Portable: If you’ve ever tried to serve a slice of cherry pie at a picnic or potluck, you know that it can get a little messy. These cherry lime bars solve that problem by cutting the dessert into squares, making it easy to serve and share without the risk of the filling spilling everywhere.
   
   
3. Sweet and Tart Harmony: The cherry filling gives these bars the sweet and tart flavors of a classic cherry pie, but with the soft, chewy texture of a cookie. It’s the best of both worlds, and every bite is a delightful combination of buttery dough and juicy fruit.
   
   
4. Customizable: You can easily make these cherry lime bars your own. Want to add some almond extract for a slightly nutty twist? Or maybe top them off with a crumbly streusel topping? The options are endless, and you can make them fit your taste perfectly.
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Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these cherry lime cookie bars, you’ll need a few basic ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Cookie Dough:

• 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

For the Cherry Filling:

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

For the Crumble Topping:

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

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How to Make Gluten Free Cherry Lime Bars

Making these cherry pie cookie bars is simple and comes together in just a few steps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat the Oven: 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. Make the 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. Prepare the Cookie Dough: 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. Make the 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. Assemble the Cherry Lime Bars:  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. Bake: 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. Cool, Drizzle, and Serve: 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!

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Storing Cherry Lime Bars

These gluten free cherry lime bars are best stored in teh fridge. They will keep well for 4-5 days.

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Craving more???

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