Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars combine the rich sweetness of chocolate with juicy bursts of cherries for a delightful treat. Soft and chewy with a hint of fruitiness, they make a perfect snack or dessert for any occasion.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)
• ¾ to 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup cherries, fresh or frozen

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter for about 60 seconds.
3. Step 3: Add the brown sugar to the melted butter and stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Step 5: Add the flour and salt, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
6. Step 6: Fold in the chocolate chips and cherries gently, keeping the cherries chunky if you prefer.
7. Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula or offset knife.
8. Step 8: Bake for 27 to 32 minutes, until the edges pull away slightly from the pan and the center feels set.
9. Step 9: Let the bars cool for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Feel free to substitute cherries with other fruits like plums, peaches, raspberries, or blueberries for different flavors.
• Don’t halve the cherries if you enjoy chunky, juicy bites throughout the bars.
• Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bars tender rather than tough.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave or oven until soft again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cherries in this recipe?

Yes, frozen cherries work well. Just make sure to thaw and drain them to avoid excess moisture in the batter.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges will start to pull away slightly from the pan and the center will feel set. A toothpick inserted may not come out completely clean due to chocolate chips and juicy fruit, so rely on these visual cues instead.

Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 124 reviews

Delightful chocolate chip cherry bars featuring a buttery blondie base studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips and fresh or frozen cherries for a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. These bars are easy to make, baked in just over half an hour, and ideal for a satisfying dessert or snack.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)

Add-ins

• ¾ to 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup cherries, fresh or frozen

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars.
2. Melt Butter: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter by heating it for about 60 seconds until fully liquefied.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the packed light brown sugar to the melted butter and stir to combine thoroughly. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and consistent.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and optional salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can result in tough bars.
5. Incorporate Chocolate and Fruit: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and cherries carefully, leaving some big, chunky pieces of cherries intact to add texture and flavor.
6. Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface lightly with a spatula or offset knife to ensure even baking.
7. Bake: Bake for 27 to 32 minutes until the edges slightly pull away from the pan sides and the center is set. Note that the baking time may vary depending on the fruit moisture and desired gooeyness. A toothpick inserted may not come out clean due to chocolate and cherries.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing. This step helps the bars set properly for clean cuts. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months.

Notes

• Can substitute cherries with other fruits like plums, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries for different flavor variations.
• Baking time varies depending on the fruit type and moisture content, and how gooey you prefer your bars.
• A toothpick inserted in the center may have chocolate or juice residue, which is normal and does not mean the bars are underbaked.

Keywords: chocolate chip cherry bars, blondies, cherry dessert bars, chocolate chip dessert, easy cherry bars, baked dessert bars