Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Almond Bars

Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Almond Bars are a sweet, chocolate, fudgy answer to your chocolate covered cherry cravings! I mean, I wait all year to see the stores filled up with this holiday treat so why not make a baked version too?!

The creamy fudge-like chocolate base layer is topped beautifully with the offset lighter colored top layer to make these Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Almond Bars a show stopper treat for your festive holiday parties and gatherings.

Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Almond Bars are a decadent treat for all of your chocolate covered cherry lovers!

Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Almond Bars

Love the combination of maraschino cherries and chocolate? My easy to make No Bake Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Crisps are a fun holiday treat to let the kids prepare! The classic chocolate chip cookie is made even better in our Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies!

In the midst of your holiday baking right now? Check out my traditional rolled sugar cookies for cut-outs and my no chill rolled sugar cookies for cut-outs – (or if you’re like me you just need sugar cookies on hand year round)!

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5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Almond Bars

Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Almond Bars are a sweet, chocolate, fudgy answer to your chocolate covered cherry cravings!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Chilling Time6 hrs

Total Time6 hrs 50 mins

Course: Chocolate, Christmas Cookies, Cookies & Bars Recipes, Dessert Recipes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bars, brownie bars, Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Almond Bars, milk chocolate chips, slivered almonds, sweet maraschino cherries

Servings: 30 bars

Calories: 187kcal

Author: Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

Ingredients

 

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Chocolate Almond Base Layer

• 1 c butter (2 sticks - salted, melted and cooled slightly)
• 3/4 c cocoa
• 2 c sugar
• 4 large eggs (at room temperature, divided - 3 eggs and 1 egg portions)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 5/6 c all-purpose flour (divided - 1 1/2 c and 1/3 c portions)
• 1/3 c slivered almonds (reserve 1 Tbsp to sprinkle over topping)

Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Top Layer

• 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 c chocolate chips
• 1 c maraschino cherries (rinsed, dried, chopped)

Instructions

Chocolate Almond Base Layer

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and generously grease, or spray with non-stick cooking spray, a 9 x 13 baking pan (or line with parchment paper for easy removal from the pan).
• In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine melted butter with cocoa. Add sugar, 3 eggs, vanilla and stir, then add 1 1/2 cup of the flour and almonds. Combine until the flour is incorporated into the batter.
• Pour into your greased 9 x 13 baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Top Layer

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the remaining 1 egg with 1/3 cup flour, sweetened condensed milk, and almond extract.
• Pour the top layer over the chocolate base layer after it has baked for the first 20 minutes. Sprinkle the topping with milk chocolate chips, chopped maraschino cherries, and remaining slivered almonds.
• Return to the oven and bake an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is set and the edges of the topping layer turn golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan, on a wire cooling rack. Once cooled, refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours. Cut into small squares for serving. Keep bars refrigerated when storing.

Notes

*If you are not using parchment paper to line your baking pan, the easiest way to remove these sticky refrigerated bars is to clear around the edges of your baking pan then cut the sheet in half. It will lift out in those two large pieces, then you will be able to cut and serve easily.

**Boxed brownie mix can be substituted for the base layer, if desired, for an easy alternative! Follow box directions, then bake for the same 20 minutes and follow the topping directions.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 243IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma’s kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

bakeitwithlove.com