Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars: A Delightful Treat
Looking for a sweet and satisfying treat with a unique twist? These Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars are the perfect combination of buttery shortbread, rich dark chocolate chips, and sweet maraschino cherries. Made with SPLENDA® Naturals, this recipe offers a lower-sugar option while still delivering the perfect balance of sweetness and flavor. These bars are great for a holiday treat, special occasion, or just to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
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
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with parchment paper, or leave ungreased if not using parchment. Set aside.
- Cream the margarine and sweetener. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and SPLENDA® Naturals for about 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Add extracts. Beat in the vanilla extract and almond extract until well incorporated.
- Prepare the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed, and continue mixing until everything is fully combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. Gently fold the dark chocolate chips into the dough until evenly distributed.
- Prepare the cherries. Drain and chop the maraschino cherries, squeezing out any excess juice to avoid adding moisture to the dough. Carefully fold the cherries into the dough.
- Spread the dough. Evenly spread the dough into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to press it down and smooth the top.
- Bake. Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and chill. Let the bars cool completely in the dish. Once cooled, refrigerate them for an hour to allow them to fully set.
- Slice and serve. After chilling, lift the parchment paper from the baking dish and cut the bars into 48 squares. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- Storage Tips: Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Customization: Feel free to swap out dark chocolate chips for milk or white chocolate if you prefer a different flavor combination.
Recipe Details:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including cooling time)
- Servings: 48 bars
- Calories: 120 kcal per bar
These Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars offer the perfect balance of flavors and textures, with a buttery shortbread base, rich chocolate, and bursts of cherry sweetness. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert or a snack to enjoy at home, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
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Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including cooling time)
- Yield: 48 1x
Description
These Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars are the perfect blend of dark chocolate richness and bright, sweet maraschino cherries. The soft, buttery shortbread base melts in your mouth, while the chocolate chips add an extra layer of indulgence. With just the right balance of sweetness and texture, these bars are an irresistible treat 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°F.
Line a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with parchment paper or leave ungreased if not using paper.
In a large bowl, cream together margarine and SPLENDA® Naturals for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla extract and almond extract, beating until well incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and continue mixing until combined.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
Drain and chop the maraschino cherries, gently squeezing out excess juice, then carefully fold them into the dough.
Evenly spread the dough into the prepared baking dish using a spatula.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Let the bars cool completely, then refrigerate for an hour to allow them to set.
Once chilled, lift the parchment paper from the dish and cut the bars into 48 squares.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 120