Description
These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a soft, chewy, and irresistible treat bursting with juicy maraschino cherries and melty chocolate chips. Perfect for holidays, parties, or a quick dessert fix, these bars combine the vibrant sweetness of cherries with the richness of chocolate for a crowd-pleasing delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for a cherry flavor boost)
- 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (120 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup (100 g) maraschino cherries, drained, patted dry, and chopped
- 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice (optional, for a hint of pink color)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Prepare the cherries:
- Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid. Chop them into small pieces.
- Make the cookie dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until fully combined.
- Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries. If desired, add 1 tablespoon of cherry juice to give the dough a light pink hue.
- Assemble the bars:
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top for decoration if desired.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set but still slightly soft.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing into squares.
- Serve:
- Slice into 16 bars and serve at room temperature. Enjoy on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Notes
- Dry the cherries: Make sure to pat the cherries dry to avoid adding too much liquid to the dough, which can affect the texture.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Variations: Add white chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.