Cherry Chocolate Nut Bars
Cherry Chocolate Nut Bars offer a delightful combination of rich chocolate, sweet cherries, and crunchy nuts, perfect for parties, snacks, or sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Grease and flour a 15 x 10 x 1 inch jelly roll pan.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips, cherries, and nuts. Blend at medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in chocolate chips, chopped maraschino cherries, and chopped nuts.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until lightly browned.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. If you want to reduce sugar, you can substitute half of the sugar with unsweetened applesauce. Make sure to chop the nuts and cherries uniformly for even distribution throughout the bars. Mixing the batter too long can make it dense, so blend just until smooth.
Serving Suggestions
These cherry chocolate nut bars make a delightful treat on their own but pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of milk for a nostalgic dessert experience. They also go well with coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. For a fun twist, serve them alongside a slice of Amish Dark Chocolate Cake.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cherry chocolate nut bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them, where they'll last up to 2 weeks. To reheat, place a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm it slightly; this enhances the chocolate's meltiness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cherry Chocolate Nut Bars contains roughly 427 calories, with 5g protein, 40g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (18% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (12% of the Daily Value), and iron (12% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 790mg per serving (34% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries, but make sure to pit and chop them first. Fresh cherries will provide a different texture and flavor profile compared to maraschino cherries, which are sweeter and more syrupy. You may need to adjust the sugar in the recipe accordingly.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or add some separately to help with the texture. This will allow those following gluten-free diets to enjoy these delicious bars.
What nuts work best in this recipe?
You can use a variety of nuts based on your preference, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds. Each type of nut will bring a unique flavor and crunch to the bars. If you want a nut-free version, simply omit the nuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).