These Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars combine the sweet juiciness of maraschino cherries with the rich, melty goodness of chocolate chips. They’re perfect for any occasion where you want to impress with something fun and delicious!
🍒 Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
🍒 Directions:
1️⃣ Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
2️⃣ Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until fully incorporated.
3️⃣ Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4️⃣ Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5️⃣ Add Chocolate and Cherries:
- Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6️⃣ Bake:
- Spread the dough evenly into your prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7️⃣ Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.
🍒 Tips:
- Drain Cherries Well: Ensure the maraschino cherries are well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
- Chocolate Variety: Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for milk or dark chocolate if preferred.
- Storage: Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
🍒 Nutritional Info:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Calories: Approx. 330 kcal per bar
- Servings: 24 bars
These cookie bars are the perfect balance of sweet cherries and rich chocolate, with a soft and chewy texture in every bite! 🍒🍫