Christmas Cherry Bars have a long-standing tradition, bringing joy to holiday gatherings for generations. Originating from classic fruit bar recipes, these bars have evolved into a delightful Christmas treat, cherished for their sweet and tart flavors.
🌟 Ingredients Required:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
👩🍳 Directions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Combining the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, flour, and powdered sugar.
- Press the mixture into the prepared pan to form a crust.
- Filling:
- In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, granulated sugar, almond extract, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Gently fold in the chopped cherries and nuts.
- Baking Process:
- Pour the filling over the crust in the baking pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
- Nutritional Information:
- (Per serving) Calories: 200 | Fat: 10g | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fiber: 1g
- Variations:
- Experiment with different nuts or add a hint of citrus zest for a unique twist.
- Drizzle with white chocolate for extra sweetness.
🎁 Conclusion:
Christmas Cherry Bars are a delightful addition to your holiday dessert table, combining the richness of buttery crust with the fruity goodness of cherries. Share these bars with loved ones to spread the joy of the season!