Jolly Red Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe to Make

Sweet, buttery, and bursting with festive cheer, these christmas cherry bars dance with vibrant holiday flavors.

The recipe blends classic cookie textures with bright crimson cherries that pop against a golden crumb base.

Tender and delightfully sweet, each bar promises a delectable bite of seasonal joy.

Soft shortbread melts beneath jewel-like cherry filling, creating a dessert that sparkles with warmth.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making these bars a stress-free treat for winter gatherings.

Rich, indulgent, and wonderfully nostalgic, these bars will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Bake a batch and watch smiles spread as quickly as the cherry filling.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40-45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 15

What You’ll Need For Christmas Cherry Bars

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base that creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture for the shortbread layer. Choose unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden, crispy crust. Opt for fine granulated sugar for smooth mixing.
• Flour: Gives structural integrity to the base. Select all-purpose flour for consistent results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Cherry Pie Filling: Delivers vibrant fruity center with convenient, ready-to-use texture. Select high-quality brand with plump, juicy cherries.
• Almond Extract: Adds sophisticated, nutty undertone that complements cherry flavor. Use sparingly for delicate enhancement.

• Flour: Creates crispy, crumbly texture for topping. Use same all-purpose flour as crust.
• Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and helps topping become golden-brown. Select dark brown sugar for richer flavor.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, aromatic dimension to the dessert. Choose fresh ground cinnamon for maximum flavor.
• Melted Butter: Binds crumb ingredients and provides richness. Use same butter as crust for consistent taste.

Baking Gear For Christmas Cherry Bars

• Mixing Bowls: 3 medium-sized bowls for mixing crust, filling, and crumb topping.
• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Essential for creating the perfect bar size and shape.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect texture.
• Spatula: Useful for spreading cherry filling and pressing crust evenly.
• Sharp Knife: For cutting cooled bars into clean, even squares.

How To Bake Christmas Cherry Bars With Ease

• Warm Kitchen Prep

Gather your baking adventure essentials and preheat the cozy oven to a toasty 350 degrees. Line a rectangular pan with parchment paper, creating little wings for easy dessert lifting.

• Buttery Base Foundation

Whip softened butter and sugar into a dreamy cloud-like mixture. Gently fold in flour until a delicate dough forms. Press this golden blanket evenly across the pan’s bottom, creating a perfect shortbread canvas. Bake until edges turn a gentle sunshine-kissed golden.

• Cherry Love Layer

Spread luscious cherry filling across the warm crust, dotting it with a whisper of almond magic. The ruby-red goodness will transform your simple bars into a festive delight.

• Crumbly Crown Creation

Mix flour, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon with melted butter. Sprinkle this crunchy treasure generously over the cherry landscape, creating a rustic, inviting texture.

• Final Baking Symphony

Slide the pan back into the oven’s warm embrace. Let the bars dance and transform for 25-30 minutes until the crumb topping turns a rich, golden brown.

• Sweet Celebration

Allow your masterpiece to cool completely. Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper wings, then slice into delectable squares ready to spread holiday cheer.

Creative Tips For Christmas Cherry Bars

• Smart Baking Tweaks for Christmas Cherry Bars
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these bars up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay moist and delicious, perfect for holiday gatherings or unexpected guests.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these bars suitable for those with wheat sensitivities. The texture remains wonderfully buttery and crumbly.
• Fruit Swap Adventure: Experiment with different fruit fillings like raspberry, blueberry, or mixed berry preserves for a unique twist. Each variation brings a fresh flavor profile to the classic recipe.
• Nutty Crunch Boost: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans into the crumb topping for extra texture and a delightful nutty dimension. This simple addition elevates the bars from good to absolutely irresistible.
• Dairy-Free Transformation: Use coconut oil instead of butter and dairy-free margarine to create a delectable version that everyone can enjoy. The bars will still maintain their rich, satisfying taste and tender crumb.

Ideas For Serving Christmas Cherry Bars Festively

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange the cherry bars on a decorative Christmas plate, garnished with small candy canes and a dusting of powdered sugar for a magical winter presentation.
• Sweet Dessert Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream to enhance the rich cherry flavor and add a creamy contrast to the crumbly texture.
• Cozy Coffee Pairing: Enjoy these bars with a warm mug of spiced chai tea or rich hot chocolate, creating a delightful afternoon treat that warms both hands and heart during chilly holiday moments.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Wrap individual bars in cellophane with a festive ribbon, making them perfect homemade edible gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday gatherings.

Storage Tips For Keeping Christmas Cherry Bars Fresh

Keep bars fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, preventing moisture and maintaining crisp texture.

• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for best taste and texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare bars one day before serving to enhance flavor development. Let them sit covered at room temperature to allow ingredients to meld together beautifully.
• Portion Control Pro: Cut bars into uniform sizes for consistent serving and easier storage. Stack with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain pristine appearance.

Festive Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 15 1x

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Description

Sweet Christmas cherry bars blend festive cheer with nostalgic family flavors. Seasonal dessert delivers rich cherry goodness and buttery pastry that delights holiday guests.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 can (21 oz/600 g) cherry pie filling
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Press flour-based mixture evenly into parchment-lined baking pan, creating a uniform shortbread foundation with golden potential.
2. Initial Baking: Partially bake the shortbread crust until edges turn light golden, developing a crisp structural platform for subsequent layers.
3. Cherry Layer Application: Spread vibrant cherry filling across warm shortbread, delicately incorporating almond extract to enhance fruity complexity and aromatic depth.
4. Crumb Topping Construction: Blend flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter into a nuanced, textural mixture designed to transform into a rustic, golden crown.
5. Final Baking Transformation: Bake assembled dessert until crumb topping achieves a rich, burnished brown complexion, allowing flavors to meld and textures to develop perfectly, approximately 25-30 minutes.
6. Cooling and Presentation: Allow completely cooled creation to rest in pan, then leverage parchment paper edges to extract and slice into precise, elegant squares that showcase distinctive layered architecture.

Notes

• Butter Consistency Matters: Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother shortbread base, preventing lumpy or tough texture.
• Cherry Filling Technique: Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly to avoid excess moisture that could make the base soggy and compromise the dessert’s structural integrity.
• Crumb Topping Precision: Mix crumb ingredients until they resemble coarse, pea-sized crumbles for an optimal crispy and light texture that browns evenly.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow bars to cool completely before cutting to maintain clean, sharp edges and help layers set properly, preventing crumbly or messy slices.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 15
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg