Description
Maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookie bars blend sweet cherries with rich chocolate in a nostalgic dessert. Creamy, chewy squares offer a delightful twist on classic cookies that you’ll savor with pure enjoyment.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (120 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup (100 g) maraschino cherries, drained, patted dry, and chopped
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional, for a cherry flavor boost)
- 1 tbsp maraschino cherry juice (optional, for a hint of pink color)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper for effortless removal of the finished bars.
- Cherry Preparation: Thoroughly drain maraschino cherries, then finely dice into delicate morsels.
- Creaming Process: Utilize a mixer to whip butter and sugars into a light, airy consistency. Blend in egg and extracts until perfectly unified.
- Dough Formation: Delicately incorporate flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients. Gently fold in chocolate chips and chopped cherries, creating a marbled dough with an even distribution.
- Baking Setup: Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan, artfully arranging additional chocolate chips across the surface for visual and flavor enhancement.
- Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes, achieving golden-brown edges while maintaining a tender center.
- Cooling and Cutting: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan, then use parchment paper to lift out the entire batch. Slice into 16 precise squares, revealing the vibrant cherry-chocolate medley within.
Notes
Drain Cherries Thoroughly: Excess moisture can make bars soggy, so pat maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels to maintain ideal texture and prevent potential sogginess.
Prevent Overmixing Dough: Mix flour just until combined to keep bars tender and avoid developing tough, dense texture that can result from excessive gluten development.
Temperature Control Matters: Allow butter to soften at room temperature but not melt completely, ensuring proper creaming and creating a light, fluffy base for the cookie bars.
Customize Add-Ins Strategically: Consider alternative mix-ins like white chocolate chips or chopped nuts to complement the cherry flavor and add extra depth to the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg