Description
Indulgent chocolate chip maraschino cherry shortbread bars blend sweet cherries with buttery, crumbly shortbread for an irresistible dessert. Crisp edges, rich chocolate, and tangy cherries create a perfect balance that will delight taste buds and bring joy to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) margarine, at room temperature
- 11.5 ounces (326 grams) dark chocolate chips
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) chopped maraschino cherries, juices drained
Sweeteners and Extracts:
- ½ cup SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Binding and Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare your kitchen workspace by positioning an oven rack in the center and heating to 325°F, ensuring an even baking environment.
- Protect your baking vessel by lining a 9 x 13-inch dish with parchment paper, creating an easy removal surface for the shortbread.
- Using an electric mixer, whip margarine and sweetener together until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency with increased volume.
- Incorporate vanilla and almond extracts, blending thoroughly to distribute their aromatic essence throughout the creamy base.
- In a separate mixing bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, and salt, creating a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
- Gradually introduce the dry ingredients into the margarine mixture, mixing at low speed to prevent overmixing and maintain a delicate texture.
- Gently fold dark chocolate chips into the dough, ensuring even distribution without disrupting the tender crumb.
- Carefully drain maraschino cherries, removing excess liquid to prevent soggy bars, then delicately chop and fold into the dough.
- Transfer the dough into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread evenly and create a smooth, uniform surface.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Allow the shortbread to cool completely within the baking dish, allowing residual heat to set the structure.
- Refrigerate for one hour to enhance firmness and facilitate clean cutting.
- Remove the shortbread from the dish using parchment paper, then slice into precise squares ready for serving.
Notes
- Cherries add a burst of vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor that transforms classic shortbread into an unexpected delightful treat.
- Dark chocolate chips provide rich, indulgent pockets of melty goodness throughout each tender, buttery bar.
- Chilling the bars helps set the texture, allowing clean cuts and intensifying the complex flavor profile of this delectable dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg