Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars Recipe
These Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars are a delightful twist on classic blondies, combining the rich sweetness of brown sugar and melted butter with bursts of fresh or frozen cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Baked to golden perfection with a chewy texture and gooey center, these bars make a perfect treat for any occasion.
- Author: Nethan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Melt Butter: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter by heating it for about 60 seconds, or until fully melted.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly to form a smooth batter.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the flour and optional salt into the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to avoid tough blondies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips and Cherries: Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the cherries (either fresh or frozen, whole cherries preferred for chunkiness). Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula or offset knife.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 27 to 32 minutes. The edges should start to pull away from the pan, and the center should be set but can still be slightly gooey due to the cherries and chocolate. A toothpick inserted might not come out clean because of the moist fruit and chocolate chips.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for at least one hour before slicing to ensure they set properly. Serve and enjoy.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months.
Notes
- You can substitute or mix cherries with other fruits like plums, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
- Baking time may vary depending on the type and moisture content of the fruit you use, and also on how gooey you prefer your bars.
- Because of the juicy fruit and chocolate, a toothpick inserted in the center might not come out clean even when the bars are fully baked.
Keywords: Chocolate chip bars, cherry bars, blondies, baked dessert, chocolate cherry dessert