Dessert

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

ByMaya Arden November 29, 2025November 29, 2025

Introduction

These Christmas Cherry Bars combine tart dried cherries with sweet white chocolate for a festive treat. A buttery crumbly crust and topping frame the flavorful filling, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter afternoons.

The image shows six rectangular fruit bars arranged neatly on a white round plate with a thin gold rim. Each bar has a golden brown crust at the bottom, followed by a next layer of light beige filling mixed with visible red fruit pieces. The top layer is covered with white icing dripping slightly down the sides, and thin red icing lines stretch lengthwise across each bar. Small red round fruit pieces are scattered on top of the white icing for decoration. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface with a red and white checkered cloth partially visible under it. 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 twist, add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the white chocolate and cherry layer.

Use fresh or frozen tart cherries if preferred; just reduce baking time slightly and adjust moisture accordingly.
Substitute almond extract with a dash of cinnamon for a warmer spice note.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, warm individual bars gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or until soft.

How to Serve

The image shows six rectangular dessert bars arranged neatly on a white plate with a speckled pattern. Each bar has three visible layers: a golden brown crust at the bottom, a thick middle layer of creamy white filling mixed with red berry pieces, and a light golden top crust with slits exposing the filling. The bars are drizzled with white icing that drips down the sides, and decorated with thin lines of bright red icing and small red berry drops on top. The scene includes red and white cloth and red berry decorations in the blurred background on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other dried fruits instead of cherries?

Yes, dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots work well and offer a different flavor profile that complements the white chocolate.

Why is the dough crumbly, and is that normal?

The dough should be slightly crumbly due to the chilled butter, which helps create a tender, crumbly crust. It will hold together when pressed firmly into the pan, so this texture is expected.