The Perfect Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe for Bakers

Sweet maraschino cherry sugar cookie bars refine ordinary dessert moments into vibrant celebrations of flavor and texture.

These delightful treats blend nostalgic childhood memories with sophisticated baking techniques that elevate a classic cookie experience.

Bright red cherries nestled within soft, buttery dough create a visual and gustatory symphony that awakens multiple senses.

Delicate crumbs melt effortlessly, releasing bursts of fruity sweetness balanced by rich, comforting undertones.

Bakers of all skill levels can confidently craft these delectable bars without intimidating techniques or complex ingredients.

Professional pastry chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the straightforward approach that yields impressive results.

Crafting these irresistible bars promises a delightful culinary adventure that will have everyone requesting seconds.

Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars That Look and Taste Fun

• Burst of Sweet Cherry Delight: Maraschino cherries add a vibrant, fruity punch that transforms ordinary sugar cookies into an extraordinary dessert experience with their bright red color and unique sweet-tangy flavor.
• Creamy Dreamy Frosting Magic: The luxurious cream cheese frosting creates a silky-smooth layer that perfectly complements the soft, tender cookie base, adding richness and a delightful tang that makes each bite irresistible.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe requires minimal prep time and simple ingredients, making it an ideal dessert for busy bakers who want to whip up something special without spending hours in the kitchen, perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or spontaneous sweet cravings.

What You’ll Need to Make Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the primary structure and texture for the cookie bars, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness in the baked goods.
• Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, tender texture.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender crumb, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with browning, granulated white sugar works best.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture to the bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers classic sweet flavor, use pure extract for the best taste.
• Almond Extract: Adds a subtle nutty background note, use sparingly for delicate flavor.

• Maraschino Cherries: Bright, sweet fruit that adds color and burst of flavor, drain thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.
• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy frosting base, use full-fat variety for best consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, sift to prevent lumps.

Directions for Cherry-Filled Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Cherries

• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly
• Chop cherries into tiny pieces
• Set chopped cherries aside

Step 2: Create Cookie Base

• Butter
• Sugar

Blend until light and airy

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Mix until completely smooth

Step 3: Make Cookie Dough

• Flour
• Salt
• Baking powder

Stir until dough forms

Gently fold in chopped cherries

Step 4: Bake Cookie Bars

Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan

• Grease pan thoroughly
• Optional: Line with aluminum foil for easy removal

Spread dough evenly across pan

Bake in preheated oven at 350°F (175°C)

Bake for 20 minutes until edges turn golden

Step 5: Create Creamy Frosting

• Softened cream cheese
• Butter

Blend until smooth and creamy

• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Dash of salt

Gradually mix in powdered sugar

Stir until frosting reaches spreadable consistency

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Allow cookie bars to cool completely

Spread frosting evenly across top

Cut into square pieces

Serve and enjoy delightful cherry sugar cookie bars

Tips to Nail Cherry Sugar Cookie Bar Texture

• Drain Thoroughly: Pat maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making bars soggy.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Carefully incorporate chopped cherries into dough to maintain even distribution without overmixing.
• Perfect Baking Time: Watch edges closely during baking; golden-brown indicates optimal doneness without overbaking.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure smooth cream cheese topping.
• Frosting Consistency: Add powdered sugar gradually and adjust to desired spreadability, ensuring a creamy, not too thick or thin texture.

Storage Tips for Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

• Refrigerate: Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Wrap individual bars or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm chilled bars briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften the cream cheese frosting and enhance the flavor. Serve at room temperature for the best taste and texture.

Serving Suggestions for Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

• Pair with Sparkling Rosé: The delicate cherry flavor of the bars harmonizes beautifully with a chilled, light rosé wine, enhancing the sweet and fruity notes.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Latte: The creamy almond-cherry undertones of the cookie bars complement the rich, smooth espresso and velvety milk, creating a delightful dessert experience.
• Enjoy with Champagne Cocktail: A classic champagne cocktail with a sugar cube and dash of bitters brings out the subtle cherry and almond extracts, elevating the dessert's elegance.
• Match with Cold Brew Coffee: The crisp, smooth cold brew cuts through the sweetness of the cream cheese frosting, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich, buttery bars.

Ways to Switch Up Cherry Cookie Bar Flavor

• Cherry Chocolate Chunk Bars: Fold in dark chocolate chunks alongside chopped maraschino cherries for a rich, decadent flavor profile that elevates the classic sugar cookie bar.
• Nutty Cherry Crunch Bars: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pecans on top of the frosting and mix crushed nuts into the cookie dough for added texture and depth of flavor.
• Lemon Cherry Bars: Add fresh lemon zest to the cookie dough and replace some of the vanilla extract with lemon extract to create a bright, citrusy version of the original recipe that complements the sweet cherries.
• White Chocolate Drizzle Bars: After frosting, drizzle melted white chocolate over the bars and sprinkle additional finely chopped maraschino cherries on top for an elegant and eye-catching finish.

Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Maraschino cherry sugar cookie bars deliver sweet nostalgia with their delightful pink-hued charm. Silky smooth frosting and tender cookie base create an irresistible dessert perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup soft butter
• ¾ cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped (about 170 grams or half of a 454 grams jar)

Flavor Enhancers:

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder

Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 2 ½ – 3 cups powdered sugar
• Dash of salt

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Instructions

1. Meticulously drain and finely mince the maraschino cherries, then set aside at room temperature.
2. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar until they transform into a pale, airy mixture with soft peaks.
3. Incorporate eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts into the butter mixture, blending until thoroughly integrated.
4. Gently sift flour, salt, and baking powder into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to create a uniform dough.
5. Delicately fold the chopped maraschino cherries throughout the cookie dough, ensuring even distribution.
6. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing thoroughly or lining with aluminum foil for effortless removal.
7. Transfer the dough into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer.
8. Position the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake approximately 20 minutes until edges turn golden and center appears set.
9. Remove from oven and allow bars to cool completely at room temperature before frosting.
10. In a separate mixing bowl, blend cream cheese and butter until silky and uniform in texture.
11. Introduce vanilla extract, almond extract, and a pinch of salt to the cream cheese mixture.
12. Gradually sift powdered sugar into the frosting, mixing until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
13. Once bars have cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface.
14. Slice into uniform squares and serve at room temperature.

Notes

• Drain maraschino cherries thoroughly to prevent excess moisture that could make bars soggy.
• Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that ensures consistent texture.
• Line baking pan with foil for easy removal and clean cutting of bars without sticking.
• Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain clean, crisp frosting appearance.
• Adjust powdered sugar gradually in frosting to control spreadability and sweetness level.
• Add chopped cherries gently to maintain delicate cookie bar structure without overmixing.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg