Heavenly Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Soft, buttery cookies meet a burst of sweet nostalgia in these delightful maraschino cherry sugar cookie bars that promise a delectable twist on classic desserts.

Vibrant red cherries dot the creamy landscape, adding a playful pop of color and flavor to every single bite.

The tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with the subtle cherry sweetness creates an irresistible treat perfect for afternoon snacking or weekend gatherings.

These bars blend simplicity with elegant charm, making them a standout dessert that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Rich vanilla undertones complement the bright cherry notes, creating a harmonious balance that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Each bar delivers a delightful blend of soft cookie base and fruity accents that elevate the humble sugar cookie to new heights of deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 17

Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy foundation for the cookie bars, choose unbleached flour for richer texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates light, airy structure ensuring tender crumb and perfect rise.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness in the recipe.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and tender texture, select high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create golden, crisp edges in the bars.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to smooth, cohesive dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, deep aromatic undertones and classic bakery essence.
• Almond Extract: Introduces delicate nutty complexity and sophisticated flavor dimension.

• Maraschino Cherries: Brings vibrant color and sweet-tart burst, drain thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.
• Cream Cheese: Creates luxuriously smooth, tangy frosting with silky consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Generates glossy, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness level.

Tools for Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

• Mixing bowl: Large bowl for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Hand mixer or stand mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs, and making frosting.
• 9×13-inch baking pan: Standard pan for evenly baking cookie bars.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Spatula: Perfect for folding cherries and spreading frosting.
• Sharp knife: Needed for finely chopping maraschino cherries.
• Cutting board: Surface for chopping cherries safely.
• Cooling rack: Helps bars cool evenly after baking.

Instructions for Making Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

• Cherries Prep

Carefully drain and finely chop maraschino cherries, setting them aside for a burst of sweet flavor in the cookie bars.

• Dough Foundation

Cream butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy mixture. Blend in eggs and aromatic extracts, creating a smooth base that promises delightful texture.

• Flour Magic

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Tenderly fold in the chopped cherries, distributing their vibrant color throughout the mixture.

• Baking Adventure

Spread the dough evenly into a prepared baking pan, ensuring a smooth, tempting surface. Bake until edges turn a gentle golden hue, signaling the perfect moment to remove from the oven.

• Dreamy Frosting

Whip cream cheese and butter into a silky smooth blend. Gradually add powdered sugar and extracts, creating a luxurious topping that will make taste buds dance.

• Final Touch

Allow bars to cool completely, then generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the surface. Slice into squares and prepare to indulge in a delightful treat that combines sweet cherries and creamy goodness.

Tips to Level Up Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

• Pat the dough gently into the pan to keep bars soft and tender, avoiding dense compression that could make them tough.
• Reserve some chopped cherries to sprinkle on top of frosting for extra color and bursts of fruity flavor.
• Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily across the bars.
• Wrapped tightly, these bars stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, perfect for preparing ahead of family gatherings or potlucks.
• Replace maraschino cherries with dried cranberries or chopped raspberries for different seasonal twists that keep the recipe exciting and adaptable to your taste preferences.

Serving Suggestions for Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

• Sweet Party Platter: Arrange these delightful bars on a festive ceramic plate with small doilies underneath, creating an elegant dessert display perfect for bridal showers or afternoon tea gatherings.
• Cherry Lover's Dream: Garnish each bar with a whole maraschino cherry on top and sprinkle crushed pink or red sugar crystals around the edges for extra visual appeal and sweet crunch.
• Dessert Pairing Magic: Serve alongside a chilled glass of sparkling rosé or a creamy vanilla latte to complement the cherry's subtle sweetness and the cookie's rich texture, enhancing the overall flavor experience.
• Holiday Gift Potential: Package these bars in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making charming homemade gifts for Christmas, Valentine's Day, or birthday celebrations with a personal touch.

How to Store Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

• Batch Baking Magic: Whip up a double batch of these delightful bars and freeze half for later enjoyment. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to maintain freshness for up to 3 months.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep frosted bars in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper. They'll stay delicious for 5-7 days when chilled, maintaining their soft texture and creamy frosting.
• Cherry Moisture Management: Pat maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels before chopping. This prevents excess liquid from making the cookie bars soggy and ensures a perfect, tender crumb.
• Room Temperature Sweet Spot: Allow bars to reach room temperature before serving for the most balanced flavor and optimal cream cheese frosting consistency. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes prior to enjoying for the best taste experience.

Sweet Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Delightful maraschino cherry sugar cookie bars blend sweet cherries with classic cookie comfort. Rich layers of flavor create a memorable dessert you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2.5 cups (595 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 0.75 cup (170 g) soft butter
• 0.75 cup (170 g) maraschino cherries, finely chopped (about 6 oz or half of 16 oz jar)
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp almond extract
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp baking powder
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 0.25 cup (57 g) butter, softened
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.25 tsp almond extract
• 2.5 – 3 cups (300–360 g) powdered sugar
• Dash of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Cherries: Drain and finely chop maraschino cherries, setting them aside to reach room temperature.
2. Cream Base: Utilize an electric mixer to whip butter and sugar until achieving a light, fluffy consistency with soft, billowy peaks.
3. Wet Ingredients Fusion: Blend eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts into the butter mixture, ensuring complete incorporation and smooth texture.
4. Dry Ingredient Integration: Softly sift flour, salt, and baking powder into the wet ingredients, gently stirring to form a cohesive dough.
5. Cherry Distribution: Tenderly fold minced cherries throughout the cookie dough, guaranteeing even dispersion of fruit pieces.
6. Pan Preparation: Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with grease or line with aluminum foil for seamless bar removal.
7. Dough Placement: Carefully spread the dough across the prepared pan, leveling the surface with a spatula to create a uniform layer.
8. Baking Process: Position the pan in an oven preheated to 350°F, baking for approximately 20 minutes until edges turn golden brown and center appears fully set.
9. Cooling and Frosting Preparation: Allow bars to cool completely, meanwhile crafting the cream cheese frosting by blending cream cheese and butter until silky.
10. Frosting Finalization: Incorporate vanilla extract, almond extract, and a hint of salt into the cream cheese mixture, gradually sifting powdered sugar until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
11. Final Assembly: Once bars have reached room temperature, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the entire surface, then slice into elegant, uniform squares ready for serving.

Notes

• Drain Cherries Properly: Pat maraschino cherries completely dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making the dough soggy and affecting texture.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients.
• Avoid Overmixing Dough: Stir flour mixture just until combined to prevent tough, dense cookie bars with a rubbery consistency.
• Check Baking Doneness: Look for golden edges and a slightly firm center; avoid overbaking to maintain soft, tender bars with a delicate crumb.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg