Dessert

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

ByRafael Mansero December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

Introduction

Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive treat combining tart dried cherries with sweet white chocolate, all wrapped in a buttery crumbly crust. These bars are perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy winter dessert. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they bring holiday cheer in every bite.

The image shows a plate of six rectangular pastry slices arranged in two rows on a round white plate with a rustic edge. Each pastry slice has a golden-brown bottom crust, a thick light beige filling with visible red berry pieces inside, and a golden lattice crust on top. Thick white icing drips down the sides of each slice, topped with a thin red drizzle and small round red decorations. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth nearby, and blurred red ornaments in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
½ teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 large egg yolk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup dried tart cherries, roughly chopped
½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
Step 3: Add the chilled butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Stir in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until a soft dough forms; it may be slightly crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
Step 5: Reserve about one-third of the dough for the crumble topping. Press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base.
Step 6: Bake the crust for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the center is still pale. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Step 7: Meanwhile, toss the dried cherries and white chocolate chips in a small bowl to distribute them evenly. Sprinkle the fruit-and-chocolate mixture over the warm crust.
Step 8: Crumble the reserved dough over the cherries and chocolate layer, breaking it into small pieces so that the filling peeks through.
Step 9: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling slightly.
Step 10: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment overhang to lift them out, then cut into squares or rectangles.

Tips & Variations

For a nutty crunch, add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the cherry and chocolate layer.
Substitute dried cranberries for cherries if you prefer a sweeter berry flavor.
Use dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate for a richer contrast to the tart cherries.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before pressing it into the pan to make handling easier.

Storage

Store the Christmas Cherry Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to 2 months. When reheating, warm slightly in the microwave or oven to soften the bars without melting the chocolate too much.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of six rectangular pieces of a layered pastry on a white plate. Each piece has a golden-brown crust base, topped with a layer of light-colored filling mixed with red berries visible inside. On top of the filling, there is a golden pastry layer, covered with thick white icing that drips down the sides. Bright red berry sauce is drizzled in lines across each piece, with small red berries scattered on the icing. The plate rests on a white marbled surface with a red and white checkered cloth partially visible nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?

Fresh cherries contain more moisture, which can affect the texture and baking time. If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them, then reduce any additional liquid in the recipe and expect a slightly softer bar.

How do I prevent the crumble topping from burning?

Keep an eye on the bars during the last 10 minutes of baking. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the pan with foil to protect it while the filling finishes bubbling.