Introduction

Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive treat combining tart dried cherries and sweet white chocolate on a buttery crumb crust. These bars offer the perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors, ideal for holiday gatherings or a cozy winter dessert.

A stack of four cherry dessert bars is shown on a white marbled surface with parchment paper underneath. Each bar has three visible layers: a golden brown crust at the bottom, a thick dark red cherry filling with whole cherries in the middle, and a light golden crumbly top layer. Several fresh, shiny red cherries with stems are placed on top and around the stacked bars, adding a fresh and vibrant touch. The background is softly blurred with more cherries visible, making the bars the main focus. 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 pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping.
You can substitute dried cranberries for the cherries if preferred.
Use dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a richer flavor contrast.
Make sure the butter is well chilled for a crumbly, tender crust.

Storage

Store the Christmas Cherry Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–10 minutes.

How to Serve

The image shows square cherry dessert bars placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Each bar has three layers: a light golden brown base, a thick middle layer of bright red cherry filling with whole cherries embedded, and a thin white icing drizzle zigzagged across the top. Additional whole cherries are placed on top of each bar, some with stems. Small nut pieces are sprinkled around the bars, adding texture. The bars are neatly arranged in rows, and there are festive green pine branches and extra cherries scattered in the background. The lighting is soft and natural, enhancing the vibrant colors and moist textures. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?

Fresh cherries contain more moisture, which can affect the texture and baking time. If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them, then toss with a little flour before adding to the bars. You may also need to reduce the baking time slightly.

What can I use if I don’t have almond extract?

If you don’t have almond extract, you can omit it or replace it with an equal amount of vanilla extract. While the almond flavor adds a nice note, the bars will still taste delicious without it.