Chewy Fruit Bars Recipe
I absolutely adore these wonderfully chewy fruit bars—they’re a favorite in our house for so many reasons. Versatile and satisfying, they work beautifully for any occasion. I’ve made them for my girls’ school bake-offs. I’ve tucked them into lunchboxes for a sweet midday treat. I’ve served them at family holiday gatherings. I’ve even enjoyed them as a simple after-dinner dessert or snack. Their chewy texture and fruity sweetness make them an irresistible little indulgence. They disappear fast, no matter the setting.
The second reason these bars are the perfect dessert is that you can toss in any fruit. I had lots of blueberries from our garden bushes, which made a grand version. The original recipe from Red Cottage Chronicles used drained maraschino cherries. Of course, this is a fruit I need to use soon. I also bet that fresh chopped strawberries would be spectacular. Pineapples, Bing cherries, or even apple chunks with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon could be amazing as well.
The original recipe pairs these fruit bars with a frosting. However, I found them sweet and satisfying enough on their own, without the extra layer of sugar. That said, if you prefer a little added indulgence, a simple vanilla glaze enhances the chewy bars. It complements the fruity bars beautifully. It adds just a touch of creaminess without overpowering the natural flavors. Give it a try, and see how the extra sweetness transforms—or enhances—the experience.
Cost to make this recipe.
The total cost of this wonderful dessert bar recipe is about $8.26 for a 9×13 baking dish or $0.55 per serving slice. I made these chewy bars. I used a large freezer bag full of blueberries and pecans. These were picked from our backyard. Thus, I adapted this recipe with free blueberries and pecans. The fruit and nuts of this recipe are the most expensive pieces of this recipe. So, if you can grow any one cup of nuts, you can significantly reduce costs. Similarly, if you grow one cup of fruit, then you can reduce your price to around $3.52 or $0.23 per serving slice.
Similar recipes to try
Recipe adapted
This dessert recipe was adapted from Red Cottage Chronicles lifestyle blog. All images and texts are original to One Acre Vintage Homestead – Pumpkin Patch Mountain Homestead.
Chewy Fruit Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup all purpose flour, …[$0.23]
- 1 cup oats, …[$0.28]
- 1 cup brown sugar, …[$0.47]
- 1 stick butter, cold and cut…[$1.00]
Fruit Filling
- 2 large eggs, …[$0.46]
- 1 cup brown sugar, …[$0.47]
- ½ tsp almond extract, …[$0.25]
- 2 Tbsp all purpose flour, …[$0.02]
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, …[$0.80]
- 1 cup fresh fruit, …[$1.00]
- 1 cup pecans, chopped…[$3.24]
Instructions
Crust
- Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in butter and mix until mixture is crumbly.
- Preheat oven to 350 °F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan. Press crust into baking pan and bake for 10 minutes.
Fruit Filling
- Beat together eggs, brown sugar, and extract. Next add in flour and baking powder.
- Fold in coconut, fruit, and pecans. Spread fruit mixture on top of baked crust.
- Bake at 350 °F for 20-25 minutes. When done take out of oven and let completely cool.
Chewy Fruit Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup all purpose flour, …[$0.23]
- 1 cup oats, …[$0.28]
- 1 cup brown sugar, …[$0.47]
- 1 stick butter, cold and cut…[$1.00]
Fruit Filling
- 2 large eggs, …[$0.46]
- 1 cup brown sugar, …[$0.47]
- ½ tsp almond extract, …[$0.25]
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour, …[$0.02]
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, …[$0.80]
- 1 cup fresh fruit, …[$1.00]
- 1 cup pecans, chopped…[$3.24]
Instructions
Crust
- Mix together all dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut in butter and mix until mixture is crumbly.
- Preheat oven to 350 °F. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan. Press crust into baking pan and bake for 10 minutes.
Fruit Filling
- Beat together eggs, brown sugar, and extract. Next add in flour and baking powder.
- Fold in coconut, fruit, and pecans. Spread fruit mixture on top of baked crust.
- Bake at 350 °F for 20-25 minutes. When done take out of oven and let completely cool.