Christmas Cherry Bars: 15-Minute Festive Bliss

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Christmas Cherry Bars have a special place in my heart, bringing back memories of my mom’s kitchen filled with the sweet, fruity aroma during the holidays. This easy Christmas cherry bar recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, offering a delightful balance of buttery shortbread-like crust and a vibrant, slightly tart cherry filling. They’re simple enough for a weeknight bake but festive enough for any holiday gathering. But what are Christmas cherry bars? They are essentially a delightful dessert bar with a delicious fruit filling sandwiched between a cookie-like base and topping, often adorned for the holidays. Let’s get cooking!

If you’re looking for a truly special treat this holiday season, you’ll absolutely adore this Christmas cherry bar recipe. These bars are a guaranteed hit, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures that everyone will love. They’re a fantastic way to add a homemade touch to your festive celebrations.

Incredible Taste: A buttery, tender base meets a sweet-tart cherry filling for a flavor explosion.
Quick Prep Time: You can whip up this festive cherry bar recipe in just about 15 minutes of active prep!
Budget-Friendly Bliss: Uses common pantry staples, making it an economical choice for holiday baking.
Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike go crazy for these delicious bars, perfect for sharing.
Visually Stunning: The bright red cherry filling peeking through the golden crust makes this a beautiful festive cherry bar recipe.
Versatile Dessert: Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or just a sweet treat any day.

Ingredients for Homemade Christmas Cherry Bars

Gathering the right Christmas cherry bar ingredients is the first step to baking these beautiful bars. You’ll find that most of these are pantry staples, making this an accessible holiday treat. Don’t worry if you don’t have almond extract; the vanilla alone is delicious, but it adds a lovely depth.

1 cup unsalted butter, softened – this makes creaming with sugar super easy and ensures a tender base.
2 cups granulated sugar (400 g) – for sweetness in both the base and the glaze.
4 large eggs – room temperature eggs incorporate better into the batter.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – a classic flavor enhancer.
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional) – adds a wonderful, subtle nutty note that pairs beautifully with cherries.
3 cups all-purpose flour (360 g) – the structure for our shortbread-like base.
1 teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
1 can (21 oz / 595 g) cherry pie filling – this is our star for that vibrant, sweet-tart layer!
For the Glaze (Optional):
1 cup powdered sugar (120 g) – for a smooth, sweet topping.
2–3 tablespoons milk – to achieve the perfect drizzling consistency.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract – to flavor the glaze.

How to Make Christmas Cherry Bars

Follow these straightforward Christmas cherry bar instructions to create a stunning dessert that’s perfect for any holiday gathering. This recipe focuses on clarity for the Christmas cherry bar baking process, ensuring even beginners can achieve delicious results.

Step-by-Step Baking Guide

Preparing the Pan and Oven

First things first, let’s get our setup ready for these delightful holiday cherry bar cookies. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, take a 9×13-inch baking pan and grease it thoroughly. For easy removal and cleanup, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides. This overhang acts as handles to lift the bars right out once they’re cooled.

Mixing the Shortbread-like Base

In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar. Beat them until the mixture is wonderfully light and fluffy – this is key for a tender base. Next, add 4 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and the optional 1 teaspoon of almond extract. Gradually mix in 3 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt until a smooth, cohesive batter forms. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; we want a tender texture!

Assembling the Cherry Filling

Now for the fun part of assembling our Christmas cherry bar dessert! Take about two-thirds of the batter you just made and spread it evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking pan. Next, carefully spread the entire can of cherry pie filling over this base layer. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth; the next step adds more batter. To finish, drop small spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the cherry layer. Leave some of the bright red cherries peeking through; this creates that signature festive look.

Baking and Cooling the Bars

Place the pan into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 35–40 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the top is a beautiful, light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. These Christmas cherry bar instructions emphasize patience for the next step: letting the bars cool completely on a wire rack. This cooling period is crucial to prevent the bars from crumbling when you cut them.

Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Cherry Bar Squares

Achieving perfect Christmas cherry bar squares is all about a few simple tricks. Following these tips guarantees a delicious outcome every time you bake these festive treats.

Ensure your butter is truly softened for the base; this makes creaming much easier and results in a lighter texture.
Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tougher bar instead of a tender, crumbly one.
Allow the bars to cool completely before attempting to glaze or cut them. This is the most important step for clean slices!
For extra festive flair, consider adding a sprinkle of colored sanding sugar or chopped nuts over the glaze before it sets.

What’s the secret to perfect Christmas Cherry Bars?

The secret to the best Christmas cherry bar recipe lies in the balance of textures and flavors. Creaming the butter and sugar properly for the base is crucial, as is not overmixing the flour. Allowing the bars to cool completely before glazing and cutting ensures those beautiful, clean slices.

Can I make Christmas Cherry Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These simple cherry bars for Christmas are fantastic for making ahead. You can bake them up to two days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, cool completely and freeze unglazed bars for up to two months.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Christmas Cherry Bars?

To avoid a crumbly mess with your easy holiday cherry bar recipe, make sure the bars are completely cooled before cutting. Also, resist the urge to overmix the batter after adding the flour. This prevents a tough texture and ensures a tender base. Lastly, don’t skip the parchment paper overhang; it makes removing the bars so much easier!

Best Ways to Serve Christmas Cherry Bars

These delightful Christmas cherry bar dessert squares are wonderfully versatile and can be served in so many festive ways. They’re perfect on their own, but here are a few Christmas cherry bar ideas to elevate your holiday spread. Imagine them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a warm-meets-cold contrast, or perhaps with a dollop of fresh whipped cream for extra indulgence. They also pair beautifully with a warm cup of mulled wine or hot cocoa, making them a cozy treat on a cold winter’s night. For a truly stunning dessert table, arrange them with other holiday cookies and treats!

Nutrition Facts for Christmas Cherry Bars

These delightful bars are a festive treat, and here’s a breakdown of what you can expect per serving. Keep in mind these are estimates for one bar from the recipe yielding 24 servings.

Calories: 220
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 90mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Cherry Bars

Proper Christmas cherry bar storage is key to keeping these festive treats delicious for longer. Once your bars have completely cooled on the wire rack, you can get them ready for safekeeping. If you plan to enjoy them within a few days, an airtight container at room temperature is perfect. They should stay fresh for about 3–4 days this way.

For longer-term storage, freezing is your best bet. Make sure the bars are fully cooled and unglazed. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before you plan to serve them. If you’ve frozen glazed bars, they might be a bit softer upon thawing. To reheat, you can gently warm individual slices in a low oven (around 250°F or 120°C) for a few minutes until slightly warmed through, or simply enjoy them at room temperature after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Cherry Bars

What makes these Christmas Cherry Bars so festive?

The festive appeal comes from the vibrant red cherry filling peeking through the golden-brown, buttery base. It’s a beautiful contrast that screams holiday cheer! For extra flair, you can add red and green sprinkles on top of the glaze before it sets, or even pipe little festive shapes.

Can I use other fruit fillings for Christmas Cherry Bars?

Absolutely! While cherry is classic, feel free to explore other Christmas cherry bar variations. Raspberry, blueberry, or even apricot pie fillings work wonderfully. You could also try a mix, like cherry-raspberry, for a unique flavor profile. Just ensure it’s a pie filling consistency.

How do I get clean cuts on my Christmas Cherry Bars?

The key to clean cuts for these Christmas cherry bar squares is patience and a sharp knife. Ensure the bars are completely cooled before glazing and cutting. For the sharpest, cleanest slices, chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Wipe your knife clean between each cut for the best results.

What are some easy Christmas cherry bar ideas for decorating?

For simple yet effective Christmas cherry bar decorations, a dusting of powdered sugar can mimic snow. A basic glaze drizzled artfully, followed by a sprinkle of holiday-colored sanding sugar or edible glitter, adds instant festivity. You could also use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes from fondant to place on top of the glaze.

Variations of Christmas Cherry Bars You Can Try

While this classic recipe is a winner, don’t be afraid to get creative with these Christmas cherry bar variations! You can easily adapt them to suit different tastes, dietary needs, or just to switch things up for your holiday baking. For unique Christmas cherry bar decorations, consider adding a touch of edible glitter or festive sprinkles.

Gluten-Free Option: Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a good quality gluten-free baking blend. You might need to adjust the liquid slightly, but the texture will still be wonderfully tender.
Berry Bliss: Instead of cherry pie filling, try using raspberry, blueberry, or even a mixed berry filling for a different fruity flavor profile. The vibrant colors are just as festive!
Chocolate Drizzle Delight: After the glaze has set, melt some semi-sweet or white chocolate and drizzle it over the bars. This adds a decadent touch that pairs surprisingly well with the cherry.
Nutty Crunch: For added texture, fold in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before spreading it on the base, or sprinkle them over the glaze for a delightful crunch.