Desserts that combine the richness of chocolate with the tartness of fruit are a match made in heaven. Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars are one such treat that brings together the best of both worlds, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures in every bite. These bars are based on a classic blondie recipe but are elevated with the addition of juicy cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Whether you’re looking for a dessert to impress at a gathering or simply want to indulge in a sweet treat at home, these Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars are a perfect choice. They’re easy to make, deliciously chewy, and bursting with the rich, sweet flavors of chocolate and cherries.
The Appeal of Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars
What makes these bars so special is their versatility and ease of preparation. The recipe is built on a simple blondie base, which is a cousin to the brownie, but without the cocoa. Instead, the focus is on brown sugar and butter, which give the bars a rich, caramel-like flavor. The addition of semi-sweet chocolate chips adds a burst of sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the tartness of the cherries. Fresh or frozen cherries work well in this recipe, making it adaptable to any season. The result is a dessert that is both familiar and innovative, offering a new twist on the classic chocolate and fruit pairing.
Ingredients Breakdown
Base Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, melted): Butter is the foundation of this recipe, providing the necessary fat that gives the bars their rich, tender texture. Melting the butter allows for easy mixing and ensures that the bars have a uniform consistency.
- Light Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Brown sugar is key to the blondie base, providing a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the chocolate and cherries. The molasses in the brown sugar also adds moisture, helping to keep the bars soft and chewy.
- Large Egg (1): The egg acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the bars together while also adding richness and structure to the batter.
- Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the bars, adding a warm, aromatic note that complements the chocolate and fruit.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): Flour provides the structure for the bars, balancing out the wet ingredients and ensuring that the bars are dense and chewy.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon, optional): A small amount of salt helps to balance the sweetness of the bars and enhances the flavors of the chocolate and cherries.
Add-Ins
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (¾ to 1 cup): Chocolate chips add a burst of rich, sweet flavor to the bars. Semi-sweet chocolate is ideal because it provides the right balance of sweetness without overpowering the tartness of the cherries.
- Cherries (1 cup, fresh or frozen): Cherries are the star ingredient in these bars, providing a tart contrast to the sweetness of the chocolate and the blondie base. The cherries can be used whole, which gives the bars a chunky, rustic texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring that the foil extends over the edges for easy removal of the bars. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt the Butter: In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave for about 60 seconds or until fully melted. Allow the butter to cool slightly before proceeding to the next step.
Making the Batter
- Combine Butter and Sugar: Add the light brown sugar to the melted butter and stir until well combined. The mixture should have a smooth, thick consistency, with the brown sugar fully dissolved into the butter.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, stirring until fully incorporated. This step helps to bind the ingredients together and adds richness to the batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and optional salt to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to tough, dense bars. The batter should be thick and slightly sticky.
Adding the Chocolate and Cherries
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed. This ensures that each bite of the bars has a balanced amount of chocolate.
- Add the Cherries: Fold in the cherries, being careful not to overmix, as this can break up the cherries too much. The goal is to have visible chunks of cherries throughout the batter, adding bursts of tart flavor to each bar.
Baking the Bars
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula or offset knife to smooth the top if necessary. The batter should be evenly spread in the pan to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 27 to 32 minutes, or until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and the center is set. Baking times may vary slightly depending on the moisture content of the cherries and the type of chocolate used. A toothpick inserted into the center of the bars may not come out completely clean due to the melted chocolate and juicy cherries, but the bars should be firm to the touch.
- Cool: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 1 hour before slicing. This cooling time is crucial as it allows the bars to set properly, making them easier to cut and ensuring they hold their shape.
Serving and Storage
- Slice and Serve: Once the bars are completely cooled, lift them out of the pan using the overhanging foil. Place the bars on a cutting board and slice them into 9 squares. Serve the bars at room temperature, enjoying the combination of rich chocolate and tart cherries in every bite.
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, the bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Tips for Success
- Choose the Right Cherries: When using fresh cherries, ensure they are pitted before adding them to the batter. If using frozen cherries, there’s no need to thaw them before adding them to the batter. Frozen cherries can add extra moisture to the bars, which may affect the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on them as they bake.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to tough bars. Stir the ingredients just until combined to keep the bars tender and chewy.
- Adjust for Gooeyness: The baking time can be adjusted depending on how gooey you like your bars. For a firmer, more cookie-like texture, bake the bars on the longer end of the suggested time. For a gooier, more brownie-like consistency, bake them for less time.
- Cooling is Key: Allowing the bars to cool completely before slicing is crucial for achieving clean, even cuts. Rushing this step can result in the bars crumbling or breaking apart.
Variations and Customizations
- Fruit Substitutions: While cherries are the star of this recipe, you can substitute them with other fruits such as plums, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries. Each fruit will bring its unique flavor profile, making the bars versatile and adaptable to seasonal produce.
- Nutty Addition: For added crunch, fold in a handful of chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds. The nuts complement the chocolate and cherries, adding an extra layer of texture.
- White Chocolate Twist: Substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier flavor that pairs beautifully with the tartness of the cherries.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make these bars gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that the blend you use includes xanthan gum or another binding agent to maintain the structure of the bars.
Conclusion
Chocolate Chip Cherry Bars are a delightful treat that perfectly balances the richness of chocolate with the tartness of cherries. These bars are easy to make and versatile, allowing for various customizations to suit your taste preferences. Whether you’re enjoying them as an afternoon snack, a dessert for a special occasion, or a sweet treat to share with friends, these bars are sure to impress.
The combination of a classic blondie base with the fresh, vibrant flavors of cherries and the sweet, melty goodness of chocolate chips makes these bars irresistible. With the tips and variations provided, you can easily adapt this recipe to create a dessert that is uniquely yours. Enjoy the process of baking these delicious bars, and savor every bite of this indulgent, fruity, and chocolaty delight.