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Christmas Cherry Bars Easy Holiday Dessert
Maya

Christmas Cherry Bars

Festive Christmas Cherry Bars made with a buttery shortbread-style base, sweet-tart dried cherries, and creamy white chocolate chips, finished with a golden crumble topping.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 240
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
  • 1 cup dried tart cherries, chopped
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Equipment

  • 8×8-inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Pastry cutter or fingertips
  • Oven
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment.
  2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
  3. Cut in chilled butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Stir in egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extract until a soft dough forms.
  5. Reserve one-third of the dough. Press remaining dough into the pan to form the base.
  6. Bake crust for 10–12 minutes until edges are set.
  7. Toss cherries and white chocolate chips together, then sprinkle over warm crust.
  8. Crumble reserved dough over the top.
  9. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
  10. Cool completely, then lift out and cut into bars.

Notes

Let the bars cool completely before slicing for clean edges. Almond extract enhances the cherry flavor, but it can be reduced if desired.