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Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 63 reviews

Delight in these festive Christmas Cherry Bars, featuring a buttery crumbly base topped with tart dried cherries and sweet white chocolate chips, finished with a golden crumble topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a sweet seasonal treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust and Crumble Topping

  • 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

For the Filling

  • 1 cup dried tart cherries, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: 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 to ensure your bars come out cleanly.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined to create a balanced base for your dough.
  3. Incorporate Butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, which creates a tender, crumbly texture.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients and Form Dough: 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, ensuring the dough is just right.
  5. Reserve Topping and Press Base: Reserve about one-third of the dough for the crumble topping. Press the remaining two-thirds evenly into the prepared pan to form the base layer.
  6. Bake the Crust: Bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the center remains pale. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly, preparing it for the topping.
  7. Prepare the Filling: While the crust bakes, toss the dried tart cherries and white chocolate chips together in a small bowl to evenly distribute flavors.
  8. Add Filling Layer: Sprinkle the cherry and chocolate mixture evenly over the warm crust, creating a luscious, festive filling.
  9. Apply Crumble Topping: Crumble the reserved dough over the filling layer, breaking it into small pieces so the cherries and chocolate peek through for a rustic look.
  10. Bake Final Assembly: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly, locking in all the rich flavors.
  11. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack in the pan. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out easily, then cut into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter is well chilled before incorporating for best crumb texture.
  • The almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor; it can be omitted if unavailable or replaced with additional vanilla extract.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Chilling the dough before pressing into the pan is optional but can improve texture.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: Christmas cherry bars, holiday dessert, cherry white chocolate bars, festive baking, crumb topping bars

Find it online: https://tastemadebyclara.com/christmas-cherry-bars-recipe/