Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, featuring finely chopped maraschino cherries folded into a buttery dough and baked to golden perfection. Topped with a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting flavored with vanilla and almond extract, these bars are perfect for any occasion that calls for a sweet, fruity treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Bars
- 3/4 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped (about half of a 16oz jar)
- 3/4 cup soft butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- Dash of salt
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Cherries: Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and finely chop them. Set aside to incorporate into the dough.
- Make the Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the soft butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder, then gradually add to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chopped cherries gently.
- Shape and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Press the dough evenly into a well-greased 9×13 inch pan; lining with foil beforehand is optional but recommended for easy removal. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the edges turn a very light golden brown.
- Cool the Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and almond extracts, the dash of salt, then gradually beat in powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for smoothest frosting and dough consistency.
- Lining the baking pan with foil makes cleanup easier and helps lift the bars out for neat slicing.
- Adjust the amount of powdered sugar in the frosting to reach your preferred thickness and sweetness.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a more pronounced almond flavor, consider using almond-flavored maraschino cherries if available.
Keywords: maraschino cherry bars, sugar cookie bars, cream cheese frosting, cherry dessert, easy cookie bars, holiday dessert
