Introduction to Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars
Imagine the delightful aroma of freshly baked Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars wafting through your kitchen, bringing smiles to everyone around. These treats are perfect for busy days when you crave something sweet but need a quick solution. With buttery shortbread, rich chocolate, and a pop of maraschino cherry, they are a joy to share with friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, these bars will impress your loved ones without taking hours in the kitchen. Trust me, every bite will be worth it!
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars
These Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars are a delightful blend of flavors and textures that your taste buds will adore. They’re a breeze to whip up, perfect for those busy moments when you need a little sweetness in your life. Plus, every bite is like a hug for your mouth—rich, buttery, and oh-so-decadent! They’re not just easy; they’re guaranteed crowd-pleasers that make every occasion a bit more special.
Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars
Gathering the right ingredients is key to achieving those delicious Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars that you’ll love. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Margarine: The star of our buttery shortbread! At room temperature, it creates a smooth and creamy texture that’s essential for great baking.
- SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend: This delightful blend provides sweetness without the guilt. It’s perfect for those looking for a lower-calorie option while still enjoying dessert.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: An essential flavor enhancer, vanilla adds warmth and depth to our bars. Always opt for pure extract for the best taste!
- Almond Extract: A teaspoon of almond extract brings a lovely nutty flavor that complements the cherries wonderfully.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of your shortbread, providing structure and texture. You can use a gluten-free blend if needed.
- Cornstarch: This secret ingredient gives that melt-in-your-mouth quality, making your shortbread even more tender.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness. Don’t skip this; it helps all the flavors shine through.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Because who can resist chocolate? These tiny morsels add bursts of rich flavor to every bite.
- Maraschino Cherries: Chopped and drained, these sweet little gems are a wonderful contrast in flavor. Draining the juice is vital to avoid a soggy batter!
For exact quantities, you can find the detailed measurements at the bottom of the article for easy printing. Get ready to indulge in a delicious baking experience!
How to Make Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars
Now that we’ve gathered our ingredients, let’s dive into making these delightful Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars. I promise, each step brings you closer to those sweet, buttery squares. Let’s get baking!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
The first step is crucial: preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. This ensures that our bars bake evenly, creating that perfect rich texture. A properly heated oven will have your shortbread bars rising beautifully!
Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Next, let’s prepare our baking dish. Use a 9 x 13 casserole dish, and line it with parchment paper if you like. This makes it super easy to lift out the bars once they cool. If you choose not to use paper, just leave the dish ungreased.
Step 3: Cream the Margarine and Sweetener
In a large bowl, cream the room-temperature margarine and SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend for about two minutes. This step is vital for getting that light, fluffy texture. It’s like whisking happiness into your mixture!
Step 4: Add Extracts
Now, beat in the pure vanilla and almond extracts. These little flavor boosters will transform your bars into an aromatic delight. Just imagine that lovely blend as a warm hug for your taste buds!
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separately ensures they blend evenly and helps prevent any clumps. Remember, a smooth batter makes for a fantastic shortbread!
Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients with Wet
Gradually add your dry mixture to the creamed mixture with the blender on low. This helps avoid a flour cloud in your kitchen! Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the batter for the best texture.
Step 7: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Time to add those dark chocolate chips! Gently fold them into the batter. Use a spatula and be careful not to break the chips. Each morsel of chocolate will melt in your mouth, giving a rich, decadent twist!
Step 8: Prepare Maraschino Cherries
Next, chop your maraschino cherries and squeeze out excess juice. This is important to avoid any sogginess in the batter. We want each bar to have just the right amount of sweetness without being wet!
Step 9: Mix Cherries into the Batter
Carefully mix the cherries into the batter. Use a gentle folding motion to incorporate them without breaking apart the mixture. We want to keep the bars light and fluffy while getting that lovely cherry flavor throughout!
Step 10: Spread the Mixture into the Dish
Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Try to achieve a smooth top and even layer. This way, your bars will bake uniformly, creating a beautiful presentation!
Step 11: Bake
Now it’s time to bake! Place your dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Check for doneness when the edges are golden brown, and the center is set but slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool!
Step 12: Cool and Cut
Once baked, allow the dish to cool completely before placing it in the refrigerator for about an hour. Chilling helps to set the bars, making them much easier to cut. Slice into squares and enjoy your beautiful creation!
Tips for Success
- Make sure your margarine is fully softened for optimal creaming, resulting in a lighter texture.
- Drain and squeeze the cherries well; excess juice can make your bars soggy.
- Chill the baked bars before cutting for neat squares—trust me, it makes a difference!
- Don’t overmix; fold gently to maintain a tender shortbread consistency.
- Experiment with mixing nuts or different flavored extracts for a unique twist!
Equipment Needed
- 9 x 13 Casserole Dish: Perfect for baking the bars. If you don’t have one, a similar-sized baking pan will work too.
- Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for mixing ingredients. You can use any bowl, just large enough to hold the mixture.
- Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and spreading the batter. A spoon can also do the job in a pinch.
- Whisk: Useful for mixing dry ingredients. A fork or even a whisk attachment on your mixer will suffice.
- Parchment Paper: Optional, but helps with easy removal of the bars. Aluminum foil can be used instead if necessary.
Variations
- Nuts: Add some chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch and rich flavor that complements the cherries beautifully.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to enjoy the same delicious bars without gluten.
- Less Sugar: Reduce the SPLENDA® blend based on your preference or use a combination of ripe bananas or applesauce for natural sweetness.
- Different Extracts: Experiment with coconut or orange extract instead of almond for a fruity twist that pairs well with the chocolate and cherries.
- Dark vs. Milk Chocolate: Swap dark chocolate chips for milk chocolate or even white chocolate chips, depending on your sweet tooth!
Serving Suggestions
- Pair these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- Serve alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a warm cup of tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
- Present them on a colorful plate with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
- For a festive twist, add a few fresh cherries on top before serving.
FAQs about Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries? Sure! Fresh cherries can add a tart flavor, but remember to pit and chop them finely. You may want to reduce the amount added, as they contain more moisture than maraschino cherries.
How should I store the leftover bars? Keep your Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you like them chilled, you may refrigerate them, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Can I freeze these bars for later? Absolutely! Wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll last up to three months. Just thaw them in the fridge for a few hours before enjoying!
What can I serve these shortbread bars with? These bars pair wonderfully with coffee or tea. You could also serve them with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an extra treat.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the bars? Yes! You can reduce the amount of SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend to suit your taste. Just make sure to keep the texture in mind, as sugar contributes to the structure.
Final Thoughts
Making Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars isn’t just about baking; it’s a celebration of delightful flavors and sweet memories in the kitchen. Each bite offers a perfect balance of buttery richness and playful cherry sweetness. They’re a quick and satisfying treat, ideal for sharing with family, friends, or just for yourself after a long day. There’s something undeniably joyful about seeing the smiles on loved ones’ faces as they enjoy these bars. So, roll up your sleeves, embrace the joy of baking, and indulge in these irresistible squares—you deserve every crumb!
Print
Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 48 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars are a delightful combination of buttery shortbread, dark chocolate chips, and sweet maraschino cherries, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) margarine, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 11.5 ounces dark chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries, juices drained
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Prepare a 9 x 13 casserole dish with parchment paper if desired; if not using any paper, no need to grease the pan.
- In a large bowl, cream margarine and SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend for 2 minutes.
- Beat in vanilla and almond extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt.
- With the blender on low, gradually add the flour mixture. Wipe down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and beat until mixed.
- Slowly beat or stir in chocolate chips.
- Chop cherries and gently squeeze some of the juice out.
- Carefully beat in cherries.
- Use a spatula to evenly spread the mixture into the baking dish.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the top edges are golden brown.
- Allow the dish to cool, then chill in the refrigerator for about an hour to set and make it easier to cut.
- Remove parchment paper from the dish and cut into 48 squares.
- Allow shortbread bars to come to room temperature before eating. They have an unpleasant taste if served cold.
Notes
- Using margarine at room temperature ensures proper creaming.
- Make sure to drain the cherries well to avoid excess moisture.
- Chilling the bars after baking helps in cutting them neatly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg