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
Scale
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.
