Let me tell you, this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe has quickly become my go-to festive treat when the holiday spirit hits. It’s the perfect blend of tart cherries and sweet white chocolate nestled in a buttery, tender crust—a combo that just screams cozy Christmas vibes. Whenever I bring these to a gathering, they’re always the first to go, and I bet you’ll find the same when you try them.

This recipe is super versatile and not too tricky, which means you’ll get to enjoy those delicious bars without stress—trust me, that’s a win during the busy season. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, gifting friends and neighbors, or just craving a festive snack, these bars deliver that special touch. Plus, the chewy dried cherries really set them apart, giving you that delightful pop of flavor in each bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe plays a special role to create that perfect texture and balanced sweetness. I like to make sure I use quality dried tart cherries—they really bring a lovely tartness against the sweet white chocolate. Also, chilling the butter beforehand helps keep the crust nice and flaky.

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the crust; make sure it’s fresh for best results.
Granulated sugar: Provides just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the cherries.
Unsalted butter, chilled and cubed: Chilling the butter helps create that tender, flaky texture in the crust I love.
Baking powder: A small lift to keep the bars from getting too dense.
Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Large egg yolk: Binds everything together and adds richness.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
Almond extract: Just a touch gives a festive, nutty note that pairs wonderfully with cherries.
Dried tart cherries, roughly chopped: The star ingredient—look for chewy, tart cherries for a nice contrast.
White chocolate chips: Their creamy sweetness beautifully complements the tart fruit.

Variations

I love making this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe my own depending on the occasion or who I’m baking for. Feel free to swap a few ingredients or add your favorite twists—that’s the beauty of baking at home.

Nutty twist: I sometimes add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for a nice crunch. It adds heartiness and works surprisingly well with the cherries and white chocolate.
Dark chocolate instead of white: If you prefer a richer, less sweet bar, swapping the white chocolate chips for dark chocolate is a game-changer.
Gluten-free option: I’ve tried this recipe with a gluten-free flour blend, and while the texture is slightly different, it’s still delicious—and great for dietary restrictions.
Fresh cherries in summer: When cherries are in season, you can sub dried for fresh pitted ones, but just reduce the quantity a bit to avoid making the crust soggy.

How to Make Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Mix and Butter

Start by whisking together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. This dry mixture needs to be well combined to ensure even flavor and texture throughout. Then, add your chilled, cubed butter. I like to use a pastry cutter or just my fingertips to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks crumbly, kind of like coarse sand. This step is key to that tender, flaky crumb we want in the bars.

Step 2: Add the Flavorful Wet Ingredients

Next, whisk your egg yolk with the vanilla and almond extracts, then pour this into the crumbly mixture. Stir gently until everything starts coming together. The dough will be a little sticky—don’t worry, that’s perfect. Be careful not to over-mix here or your bars might turn out dense.

Step 3: Fold in the Cherry and Chocolate Magic

This is my favorite part. Fold in the dried tart cherries and white chocolate chips so they’re evenly spread throughout your dough. The pops of bright red cherries and creamy white chocolate chips promise every bite will be a delightful surprise!

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Press the dough evenly into a parchment-lined or greased 8×8-inch baking pan. I find using the back of a spoon or your fingers (trust me, a clean hand is the best tool here) helps press dough into all the corners without smashing the fruit. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 28-32 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool completely before slicing so you get those perfect bars every time.

How to Serve Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

A stack of square dessert bars is arranged on a white cake stand with a scalloped edge, placed on a white marbled surface with a light gray and white striped cloth underneath. Each bar has three visible layers: a thick, light golden cake base with a soft texture, a bright red jelly or jam layer in the middle with small fruit pieces, and a top layer of pale golden dough with a drizzled white icing creating a striped pattern. The bars are piled unevenly, showing the layers and glossy, sticky red fruit filling on several pieces. The background is a simple white tiled wall. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For me, a simple dusting of powdered sugar adds an elegant, snowy touch that fits the Christmas theme perfectly. Sometimes, I sprinkle a few extra white chocolate chips or a couple of whole dried cherries on top right after baking to make them look extra festive and inviting.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced tea or coffee—perfect for cozy mornings or holiday coffee breaks. If you want to serve them at a party, I also like offering whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on the side for those guests who want an extra creamy treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I cut these Christmas Cherry Bars into small bite-sized squares and placed them in festive paper cupcake liners—so cute for holiday cookie exchanges! You can also layer them in a clear glass jar with ribbons as a thoughtful homemade gift. It’s always fun to get creative with presentation during the holidays.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. The bars stay moist but still hold their shape nicely. If your kitchen is warm, the fridge is fine—just bring them back to room temp before serving for the best flavor.

Freezing

If I want to make these ahead of time or save some for later, I wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. I’ve found they freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving and they taste as fresh as the day I baked them.

Reheating

When I reheat leftovers, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave works wonders to soften the bars slightly and bring out that melty white chocolate goodness. Alternatively, popping them in a warm oven at 325°F for about 5-7 minutes is a great way to refresh their texture without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried cherries in this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute fresh cherries, but it’s best to reduce the amount slightly to prevent the crust from becoming soggy. Fresh cherries also have more moisture, so pat them dry before folding into the batter to keep things balanced.
Is it necessary to chill the butter for this recipe?

Chilling the butter is key for a tender and flaky crust. Warm or melted butter can make the dough dense and greasy. So, I always recommend keeping it cold and cubed right before mixing in.
Can I freeze the Christmas Cherry Bars?

Absolutely! These bars freeze well. Just wrap them tightly and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready, thaw at room temperature and enjoy, almost as fresh as when baked.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?

Look for golden edges and a firm surface. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft and chewy.

Final Thoughts

I have to say, the Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup. It’s simple enough to whip up on a busy day but festive and flavorful enough to impress loved ones at any gathering. I really hope you give this one a try—it’s the kind of treat that makes cold winter days feel a little warmer, and holiday celebrations that much sweeter. Grab your ingredients, get cozy in the kitchen, and enjoy every bite with a smile!

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

★★★★★ 4.7 from 50 reviews

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive and delicious treat perfect for holiday celebrations. Featuring a buttery, tender crust infused with a hint of almond and vanilla, they are generously studded with tart dried cherries and sweet white chocolate chips, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

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

For the Filling:

1 cup dried tart cherries, roughly chopped
½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature while you prepare the dough.
Prepare the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the chilled, cubed unsalted butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract and mix until a soft dough forms.
Press dough into pan: Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a crust.
Add the filling: Sprinkle the chopped dried tart cherries and white chocolate chips evenly over the dough base in the pan.
Top with remaining dough: Crumble the remaining dough over the cherry and chocolate chip layer to cover it partially.
Bake the bars: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bars are set.
Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting them into squares to serve.

Notes

For best results, ensure the butter is well chilled before incorporating it into the dough to achieve a crumbly texture.
You can substitute dried cranberries if tart cherries are unavailable.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
These bars pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee during the holidays.

Keywords: Christmas bars, cherry bars, holiday dessert, white chocolate, tart cherries, festive baking