Description
These Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars are soft, chewy, and bursting with sweet cherry and rich chocolate flavors. Perfect for a delightful dessert or snack, they combine the gooey texture of chocolate chips with juicy cherries in a buttery, brown sugar base. Easy to prepare and baked to perfection, these bars make a crowd-pleasing treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Melt Butter: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter by heating it for about 60 seconds until fully liquefied.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the packed light brown sugar to the melted butter and stir to combine thoroughly. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and consistent.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and optional salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can result in tough bars.
- Fold in Chocolate and Cherries: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and cherries carefully, leaving some big, chunky pieces of cherries intact to add texture and flavor.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface lightly with a spatula or offset knife to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Bake for 27 to 32 minutes until the edges slightly pull away from the pan sides and the center is set. Note that the baking time may vary depending on the fruit moisture and desired gooeyness. A toothpick inserted may not come out clean due to chocolate and cherries.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing. This step helps the bars set properly for clean cuts. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for up to three months.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cherries; if frozen, do not thaw to prevent excess moisture in the batter.
- Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to ensure tender bars.
- Be careful not to overbake to retain a chewy and moist texture.
- For easier removal, allow bars to cool completely before lifting them out using the foil liner.
- Customize by using different types of chocolate chips, such as dark or white chocolate.
