Introduction

Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter afternoons. These bars combine tart dried cherries with sweet white chocolate chips, all wrapped in a buttery, crumbly crust. Easy to make and wonderfully flavorful, they’re sure to become a seasonal favorite.

The image shows six square slices of a layered dessert arranged neatly on a white plate with a slight speckled texture and a thin gold rim. Each slice has three visible layers: a golden brown crust at the bottom, a light creamy middle layer with pieces of cranberry visible inside, and a top layer covered with thick white icing dripping down the sides. Bright red drizzle lines run horizontally on top of the white icing, with small red berries placed on top of some slices. The plate sits on a wooden surface with a red and white checkered cloth partially under it, and red holiday ornaments can be seen softly out of focus in the background, all placed on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
½ teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 large egg yolk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup dried tart cherries, roughly chopped
½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
Step 3: Add the chilled butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Stir in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until a soft dough forms; it may be slightly crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
Step 5: Reserve about one-third of the dough for the crumble topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base.
Step 6: Bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is still pale. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Step 7: Meanwhile, toss the dried cherries and white chocolate chips in a small bowl to distribute them evenly. Sprinkle the fruit-and-chocolate mixture over the warm crust.
Step 8: Crumble the reserved dough over the cherries and chocolate layer, breaking it into small pieces so that the filling peeks through.
Step 9: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling slightly.
Step 10: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment overhang to lift them out, then cut into squares or rectangles.

Tips & Variations

For a nutty twist, add ½ cup chopped toasted almonds or pecans to the cherry and chocolate layer.
If you prefer a softer texture, reduce the baking time of the base crust by a minute or two.
Use fresh or frozen cherries (pitted and chopped) in place of dried cherries, but reduce sugar slightly if cherries are very sweet.
Swap white chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate to balance the tartness of the cherries.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds to soften the chocolate.

How to Serve

The image shows six square pieces of a layered dessert arranged on a white plate with a thin brown edge, placed on a white marbled surface. Each piece has a golden brown crust base, a thick beige layer filled with red cherry pieces, and a light golden top layer. White icing drips down from the top and is decorated with thin red icing stripes. Small red cherries are placed on top of the icing on each piece. In the background, there are blurred red ornaments and a white plate with more dessert pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cherries instead of dried?

Yes, frozen cherries can be used but they should be thawed and patted dry to avoid excess moisture. You might want to reduce the sugar slightly to balance the sweetness.

How do I prevent the crumble topping from becoming soggy?

Ensure the base crust is partially baked and slightly cooled before adding the cherry and chocolate filling and topping. This helps keep the crumble crisp and prevents sogginess.

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 127 reviews

These Christmas Cherry Bars combine a buttery crumbly crust with tart dried cherries and sweet white chocolate chips, creating a delightful holiday treat perfect for festive gatherings or cozy winter snacking.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Base and Crumble Dough

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
½ teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 large egg yolk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract

Filling

1 cup dried tart cherries, roughly chopped
½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Prepare Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
Incorporate Butter: Add the chilled butter pieces to the dry mix. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until a soft dough forms; it may be slightly crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
Prepare Dough for Base and Crumble: Reserve about one-third of the dough for the crumble topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base layer.
Bake the Base: Bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is still pale. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
Mix Filling: While the crust bakes, toss the dried cherries and white chocolate chips in a small bowl to distribute them evenly.
Add Filling to Crust: Sprinkle the fruit-and-chocolate mixture evenly over the warm crust.
Top with Crumble: Crumble the reserved dough over the cherries and chocolate layer, breaking it into small pieces so that the filling peeks through.
Bake Final Assembly: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling slightly.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment overhang to lift them out, then cut into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

Ensure butter is cold when cutting into flour to achieve a crumbly texture.
Chilling the dough slightly before using can make it easier to handle.
For a different flavor twist, try substituting dried cranberries or blueberries in place of cherries.
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
To make the bars easier to cut, chill them in the refrigerator before slicing.

Keywords: Christmas cherry bars, holiday dessert bars, cherry white chocolate bars, crumbly crust bars, festive baking recipe