If you’re like me, you want a festive treat that feels both nostalgic and a little fancy, and that’s exactly why I adore this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe. The combination of tart cherries and sweet white chocolate nestled in a buttery, tender crust just screams holiday cheer. It’s the kind of dessert that makes your kitchen smell like Christmas magic and is perfect for sharing at family gatherings or bringing to holiday parties.

What makes this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe really stand out is how easy it is to make but still looks and tastes impressive. I love baking these bars during the holiday rush because they don’t require complicated steps, but the results are always worth the praise. Plus, they store well, so you can make them ahead of time and enjoy that fuss-free festive sweetness whenever you want.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together perfectly to create a balance of flavors and textures that truly celebrate the season. I find it helps to pick good-quality dried cherries and white chocolate chips since they really elevate the bars.

All-purpose flour: The foundation of our crust, use a good, fresh flour for best results.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness but keeps the texture light and not overly dense.
Unsalted butter: Chilled and cubed, essential for that perfect crumbly texture.
Baking powder: Just enough to give a subtle lift to the crust without making it cakey.
Salt: A pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance all those flavors.
Large egg yolk: Helps bind the dough while keeping it tender and rich.
Vanilla extract: Classic and comforting, it adds warmth to the flavor profile.
Almond extract: Just a hint here adds unexpected depth that pairs beautifully with cherries.
Dried tart cherries: The star of the show! Roughly chopped to spread the flavor evenly.
White chocolate chips: Sweet accents that melt slightly and create pockets of creamy goodness.

Variations

I love how versatile this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe is because you can easily tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

Nut-free version: Skip the almond extract or swap for extra vanilla if you have allergies—I’ve done this plenty of times with great results.
Dark chocolate chips: If you prefer a richer contrast to the tart cherries, try substituting white chocolate with dark or semi-sweet chips.
Fresh fruit twist: Sometimes in late December, I add dried cranberries or even freeze-dried raspberries for a tart, fresh burst.
Gluten-free adaptation: Use a blend of gluten-free flour to keep the bars just as tasty and festive if you’re avoiding gluten.

How to Make Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients and Prepare Butter

Start by combining the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. I like to whisk them together to ensure everything is evenly distributed before adding butter. Then toss in your chilled, cubed butter. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, quickly work the butter into the dry mixture until you get coarse crumbs. The key here is to avoid warming the butter too much to keep that crumbly texture.

Step 2: Add Egg Yolk and Extracts

Now add the egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extracts. Stir gently until the dough just comes together—if it feels dry, a teaspoon of cold water can help, but be careful not to overwork it. This step makes the dough tender but structured enough to hold the cherries and chocolate.

Step 3: Fold in Cherries and White Chocolate

Next, gently fold in your roughly chopped dried tart cherries and white chocolate chips. I like to reserve a small handful to sprinkle on top for that extra festive look. This ensures every bite is packed with those delicious flavors.

Step 4: Press and Bake

Press the dough evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 8-inch square baking pan. I find using a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup helps to get a smooth, compact surface. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Once baked, let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial because they firm up and hold their shape better when sliced. I usually chill them for 30 minutes before cutting neat squares—your Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe will thank you for this extra patience.

How to Serve Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

The image shows a stack of seven square pieces of cake on a white scalloped cake stand with a striped cloth under it, placed on a white marbled surface. Each piece has two layers: a thick, light golden sponge layer at the bottom and a bright red jelly layer with visible small fruit pieces on top. The top of each cake piece is drizzled with white icing in thin lines, adding a glossy and smooth texture. The background is a clean, soft white wall with rectangular tiles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to dust the bars with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving—adds a snowy touch that’s just charming. Fresh mint leaves or a few whole dried cherries on top also make for an elegant garnish if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

Christmas Cherry Bars go wonderfully alongside a hot cup of coffee or spiced tea. For holiday breakfasts, I’ll sometimes serve them with a side of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt to add a creamy contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve arranged these bars on rustic wooden trays with fresh holly sprigs and fairy lights around the edges—it’s a real crowd-pleaser. You can also stack the bars in little pyramid shapes or serve them on festive plates with holiday napkins for maximum cheer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover Christmas Cherry Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, though honestly, that rarely happens! If your kitchen is warm, I recommend keeping them in the fridge to maintain that perfect texture.

Freezing

If you want to make these bars well in advance, freezing works like a charm. I wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then put them in a zip-top freezer bag. They freeze beautifully for up to a month without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the bars in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes, just enough to take the chill off and soften the chocolate slightly. You can also microwave them for about 15 seconds, but be careful not to overdo it or the texture can get rubbery.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh cherries for dried tart cherries in this Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe?

Fresh cherries contain much more moisture, which can affect the texture of these bars, making them soggy or unevenly baked. If you prefer fresh cherries, try reducing other liquids slightly and consider chopping and lightly drying them first, but dried tart cherries are definitely the optimal choice for this recipe.
How do I prevent the white chocolate chips from melting too much during baking?

White chocolate melts quickly, so folding chips gently into the batter helps, and reserving some to sprinkle on top mid-bake or right after baking helps maintain their shape and adds good texture contrast.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Using a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend works well. You might need to add a tiny bit of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it to get the right texture.
What’s the best way to cut the bars without them crumbling?

Wait until the bars are fully cooled, even chilled if possible, before slicing. Use a sharp, serrated knife and wipe it clean between cuts for clean, neat squares.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe is one of those beloved treats that always sparks joy when I bake it each holiday season. Sharing these bars with friends and family, knowing they’re simple to make yet feel special, makes my kitchen the coziest place to be. I hope you’ll give them a try—whether for a holiday gathering or just because you want to treat yourself—and end up loving them as much as I do.