Description
These Christmas Cherry Bars are a festive dessert bar recipe made with almond extract, maraschino cherries, and a sweet glaze. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie trays, and make-ahead Christmas treats. Moist, easy to slice, and full of nostalgic holiday flavor.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup maraschino cherries, chopped and drained
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Pat maraschino cherries dry and chop them into halves or quarters.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in almond extract.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
7. Fold in the chopped cherries gently.
8. Spread the batter evenly into the pan and smooth the top.
9. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing.
11. Mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth, then drizzle over cooled bars.
12. Let glaze set before slicing into squares.
Notes
Make sure the cherries are well-drained to avoid soggy bars.
Use almond extract for that classic holiday flavor, not vanilla.
Let the bars cool fully before adding glaze to avoid melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg