Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Bars blend rich cocoa, sweet cherries, and creamy milk chips into a decadent, chewy treat. Perfect for chocolate lovers and fruit enthusiasts, this dessert offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, great for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a satisfying snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup softened butter ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon almond extract ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz) package vanilla milk chips ⓘ
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons margarine or butter ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped cherries, well drained
- 1 cup whole cherries, well drained ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a jellyroll pan measuring 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch.
- In a large bowl, mix sugar, softened butter, almond extract, and eggs until well combined.
- Stir in cocoa, baking soda, and salt into the mixture.
- Add quick-cooking oats to the mixture and stir well. Reserve one-third of the oats mixture for topping.
- Press the remaining oats mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- In a saucepan, melt the vanilla milk chips with sweetened condensed milk and margarine or butter over low heat, stirring until smooth.
- Fold in chopped cherries and whole cherries into the milk chip mixture.
- Spread the cherry-milk mixture over the pressed oats layer in the pan.
- Sprinkle the reserved oats mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until set and slightly firm.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars and serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark chocolate cocoa instead of regular cocoa powder. If you don't have almond extract, vanilla extract can be used as a substitute. To enhance the cherry flavor, try adding a splash of cherry juice to the milk chip mixture. Make sure the cherries are well drained to prevent excess moisture in the bars.
Serving Suggestions
These bars can be enjoyed as a sweet snack on their own or served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. They pair beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For a delightful brunch option, serve them alongside Old Fashioned Biscuits for a comforting spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. If you prefer them warm, reheat individual bars in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, just until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Bars contains roughly 388 calories, with 4g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 28g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 720mg per serving (31% 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 frozen cherries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen cherries, but make sure to thaw and drain them well before adding them to the mixture. This will help prevent extra moisture from affecting the texture of the bars.
How can I make these bars gluten-free?
To make Cherry-Chocolate Oatmeal Bars gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that the oats used are certified gluten-free as well to avoid cross-contamination.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! These bars store well, making them a perfect make-ahead treat. Prepare them up to 2 days in advance, store in an airtight container, and enjoy them fresh when ready. They also freeze well for longer storage.
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).