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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/chocolate-chip-cherry-bars-recipe/