If you are searching for a festive treat that’s bursting with sweet cherry flavor and a tender, buttery crumb, the Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe is an absolute winner. This delightful dessert strikes the perfect balance between festive charm and mouthwatering simplicity, making it an ideal bake for holiday gatherings or cozy winter afternoons. With just a handful of straightforward ingredients that come together effortlessly, these bars deliver a vibrant pop of color and flavor in every bite. Once you try this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe, it will quickly become a treasured staple in your seasonal baking lineup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe relies on simple, classic ingredients that each play a crucial role in creating its delicious taste, perfect texture, and beautiful appearance. From the rich butter that makes the crumb tender to the bright maraschino cherries that add bursts of sweetness, every element shines through.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides a moist, tender base and rich flavor essential for the bars’ texture.
- Granulated sugar (1 ½ cups): Adds sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy crumb when creamed with the butter.
- Large eggs (4): Bind everything together and give the bars structure and moisture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor with warm, fragrant notes.
- Almond extract (½ teaspoon, optional): Adds a subtle nutty depth that pairs beautifully with cherries.
- All-purpose flour (2 ¾ cups): The backbone that provides the tender yet sturdy texture.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and heightens the flavors.
- Maraschino cherries (1 jar, 10 oz, drained, patted dry, chopped): The star ingredient bringing color, sweetness, and a festive touch.
How to Make Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Cherries
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the bars from sticking. While the oven warms up, drain your maraschino cherries, pat them dry to avoid excess moisture, and chop them into bite-sized pieces. This ensures the cherries disperse evenly throughout the bars without making the batter too wet.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which usually takes around 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the batter, making your bars delightfully tender and slightly airy.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing after each addition. Adding the eggs gradually prevents the batter from breaking. Then stir in the vanilla extract and, if you’re using it, the almond extract. These extracts bring a lovely warmth and aromatic complexity that highlight the cherry’s sweetness beautifully.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Cherries
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid tough bars. Once your batter comes together, gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries. Folding carefully keeps the cherries intact and evenly distributed, creating delightful bursts of cherry goodness in every bite.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Spread your batter evenly in the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top for uniform baking. Place it in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing to ensure clean, perfect squares every time.
How to Serve Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, dust the bars with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. You can also drizzle melted white chocolate or a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of cherry juice for added sweetness and shine. Fresh mint leaves or whole maraschino cherries on top can make them look irresistible for holiday parties.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which mellows the cherry’s sweetness and adds a creamy contrast. A cup of hot coffee, tea, or even mulled wine makes a comforting accompaniment to balance the bars’ tender texture and bright flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform these simple bars into an elegant dessert platter by layering them on a tiered cake stand alongside other holiday sweets. Cut the bars into bite-sized squares and serve on decorative toothpicks for easy party finger food. You might also experiment by creating layered parfaits using chunks of the bars, fresh cherries, and whipped cream for a show-stopping holiday treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Christmas Cherry Bars keep beautifully when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer freshness, store them in the refrigerator where they’ll last about a week while staying moist and flavorful.
Freezing
You can freeze the bars by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and foil or placing them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll hold up well for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you prefer warm bars, reheat individual squares in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds. You can also warm a larger portion in a low oven at 300°F for 10 minutes. Reheating helps to revive the buttery softness and lets the cherry flavors shine even more.
FAQs
Can I substitute fresh cherries for maraschino cherries?
While fresh cherries work well in many recipes, maraschino cherries provide that signature bright color, sweetness, and chewy texture essential to this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe. Using fresh cherries would alter the flavor balance and moisture content, so it’s best to stick with maraschino for the traditional effect.
Is almond extract necessary in this recipe?
Almond extract is optional but highly recommended if you enjoy a nutty undertone that complements cherries wonderfully. If you don’t have it or prefer not to use it, vanilla extract alone will still yield delicious bars.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend to accommodate gluten-free diets. Just be mindful that texture may vary slightly depending on the blend used.
How thick should the batter be before baking?
The batter should be thick yet spreadable, holding its shape as you level it in the pan. It won’t be runny, but it should be easy to smooth out evenly to ensure uniform baking.
What’s the best way to cut the bars without crumbling?
Wait until the bars are completely cool before slicing. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for tidy squares. You can chill the bars briefly to firm them up even more before cutting if you like.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe truly shines as a festive, simple, and irresistibly tasty dessert that anyone can feel confident making. The vibrant cherries paired with a tender, buttery base make every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re serving these at a holiday party or enjoying them around the fire with loved ones, you’re sure to create delicious memories. Give this recipe a try — your taste buds (and friends!) will thank you.
Print
Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Cherry Bars, a moist and buttery treat bursting with sweet maraschino cherries. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars combine a tender crumb with bright cherry flavor, making them a seasonal favorite that’s easy to bake and share.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, drained, patted dry, and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the bars don’t stick.
- Prepare Cherries: Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly, pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid, then chop them coarsely and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to incorporate air and maintain an even batter.
- Add Flavor Extracts: Stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using) to infuse the batter with rich, aromatic flavors.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough bars.
- Fold in Cherries: Gently fold the chopped maraschino cherries into the batter, distributing them evenly without crushing.
- Transfer to Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top for an even bake.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan placed on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice into 24 bars and serve.
Notes
- Ensure cherries are well dried to avoid soggy bars.
- For a more intense cherry flavor, consider adding a splash of cherry juice or cherry liqueur to the batter.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- To make the bars more festive, drizzle with melted white chocolate or sprinkle powdered sugar before serving.
