Get ready to discover your new favorite dessert: Chocolate Cherry Bars. This recipe layers a buttery shortbread crust, a sweet and tangy cherry filling, and a rich chocolate ganache into one irresistible treat. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s easy to make but looks and tastes like it came from a high-end bakery, you’ve found it. These bars are perfect for any occasion, from holiday parties to a simple weeknight indulgence.
We designed this recipe to be straightforward and fail-proof. The press-in crust means you don’t have to worry about rolling dough, and the simple filling comes together in minutes. It’s a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for the recipe. For another fruity and decadent dessert, you might also love these Raspberry Cheesecake Bars.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cherry Bars Recipe
There are so many reasons to adore these Chocolate Cherry Bars. They strike the perfect balance between sweet and tart, with a rich chocolate finish that satisfies any craving. Here’s why this recipe stands out:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of tart cherries and deep, rich chocolate is a classic for a reason. It’s a match made in dessert heaven.
- Easy to Make: With a simple press-in crust and an easy-to-assemble filling, this recipe is accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
- Perfect for Sharing: This recipe is baked in a standard pan and cuts beautifully into squares, making it ideal for potlucks, bake sales, or sharing with friends and family.
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: These bars are always a hit! Their beautiful layers and decadent taste make them a standout on any dessert table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular dessert. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
For the Shortbread Crust:
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our buttery crust.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tart cherries.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Use cold, cubed butter for a tender, flaky texture.
For the Cherry Filling:
- Cherry Pie Filling: For convenience and perfect results, canned cherry pie filling is a great choice. You can also use your favorite homemade version.
- Almond Extract: A secret ingredient that beautifully complements the cherry flavor.
For the Chocolate Topping:
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Creates a rich, glossy topping that isn’t overly sweet.
- Heavy Cream: Helps to create a smooth, pourable ganache.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Bars Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious Chocolate Cherry Bars. We’ll walk through making the crust, adding the filling, and finishing with a perfect chocolate topping.
1. Prepare the Crust:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to easily lift the bars out later. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan.
2. Par-Bake the Crust:
Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden. This step ensures your crust stays crisp and doesn’t get soggy from the filling.
3. Add the Filling:
While the crust is still warm, spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the top. If you’re using almond extract, stir it into the pie filling before spreading. If you love cherry-based desserts, you should also try our famous cherry crumb bars recipe.
4. Bake Again:
Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the edges of the crust are golden brown. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a crucial step, as they need to be fully cool before you add the chocolate topping.
5. Make the Chocolate Topping:
Once the bars are cool, prepare the ganache. Place the chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 5 minutes without stirring. Then, whisk until the ganache is smooth and glossy. Pour the ganache over the cooled cherry layer and spread it into an even layer.
6. Chill and Serve:
Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate is firm. Once set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve. For a different kind of fruity bar, check out our caramel apple cheesecake bars.
Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Overbake the Crust: Pull the crust from the oven when it’s just lightly golden. It will bake more with the filling, and this prevents it from becoming too hard.
- Cool Completely: Ensure the bars are fully cooled before adding the ganache. A warm base will prevent the chocolate from setting properly.
- Use Quality Chocolate: The flavor of your chocolate topping will shine through, so use a good quality brand of semi-sweet chocolate chips for the best taste.
- Clean Slices: For perfectly clean cuts, run a sharp knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each slice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, these bars are perfect for making ahead. You can bake them a day in advance and store them, covered, in the refrigerator. They taste even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld together.
Absolutely. You can substitute the all-purpose flour in the crust with a quality 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The results will be just as delicious.
Yes, you can! If using fresh or frozen cherries, you will need to cook them down first with sugar, a little cornstarch, and a splash of lemon juice to create a pie-like filling. Using canned cherry pie filling is a great shortcut that delivers consistent, delicious results.
The bars are done when the filling is bubbly around the edges and the crust is a light golden brown. The center should be set. Remember to cool them completely before adding the chocolate topping.
You can add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans to the crust for extra crunch, or sprinkle flaked sea salt over the chocolate ganache for a gourmet touch. You could also swirl a bit of cream cheese into the cherry filling for a creamier texture.
How to Store Chocolate Cherry Bars
Store your chocolate cherry bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The chill helps them stay firm and fresh. You can also freeze them for longer storage. To freeze, place the cut bars on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with wax paper. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
More Dessert Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed these Chocolate Cherry Bars, you’ll love exploring more of our easy and delicious dessert recipes! For another simple yet impressive treat, try our No-Bake Grinch Pie, a festive and fun dessert for the holidays. Or, if you’re in the mood for something rich and nutty, our Chocolate Pecan Turtle Clusters are an absolute must-try.
Enjoy These Decadent Chocolate Cherry Bars!
We hope you love making and sharing these incredible Chocolate Cherry Bars. They are a true treat, combining simple ingredients into a show-stopping dessert. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out. We love hearing from you! For more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
Chocolate Cherry Bars
Chocolate Cherry Bars: The Ultimate Decadent Treat
Equipment
- 1 9x13-inch baking pan
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- 1 Saucepan
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter cold and cubed
For the Cherry Filling
- 1 can (21 oz) Cherry Pie Filling
- 1/2 tsp Almond Extract optional
For the Chocolate Topping
- 1 1/2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 3/4 cup Heavy Cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the warm crust. If using, stir the almond extract into the filling before spreading.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the filling is bubbly. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Place chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl. Heat heavy cream until it simmers, then pour over chocolate. Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Pour the ganache over the cooled cherry layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate is firm. Lift the bars out of the pan, cut into squares, and serve.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure the bars are fully cooled before adding the chocolate ganache to ensure it sets properly.
Tip 3: Use good quality chocolate for the best flavor in your topping.
