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Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Mix Filling: While the crust bakes, toss the dried cherries and white chocolate chips in a small bowl to distribute them evenly.
  8. Add Filling to Crust: Sprinkle the fruit-and-chocolate mixture evenly over the warm crust.
  9. Top with Crumble: Crumble the reserved dough over the cherries and chocolate layer, breaking it into small pieces so that the filling peeks through.
  10. 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.
  11. 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

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/christmas-cherry-bars-recipe/