Chocolate Cherry Bars($25,000 Pillsbury Bakeoff Winner)
Delicious chocolate cherry bars combine rich fudge cake, tart cherry filling, and semi-sweet chocolate for a sweet treat that appeals to all dessert lovers. Perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Using solid shortening (not oil), grease and flour a 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan or a 13 x 9-inch pan.
- Prepare the cake mix according to package instructions and spread half of the batter in the prepared pan.
- Spread cherry fruit filling evenly over the batter.
- Pour remaining batter over the cherry filling.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter or margarine over low heat.
- Add sugar, milk, and semi-sweet chocolate pieces, stirring until smooth and heated through.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the baked bars while still warm.
- Allow to cool before cutting into bars and serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the cake mix. If you don’t have almond extract, vanilla extract can be used as a substitute. Ensure the butter or margarine is fully melted before adding the other ingredients to prevent clumping. If you prefer a fruity twist, try using raspberry or blueberry filling instead of cherry.
Serving Suggestions
These chocolate cherry bars are delicious on their own but can be enhanced with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a festive touch, dust with powdered sugar before serving. They pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk. Consider serving them at gatherings alongside other desserts like White Chocolate Cookies.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover chocolate cherry bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness. To reheat, place bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm, or enjoy them cold for a refreshing treat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chocolate Cherry Bars($25,000 Pillsbury Bakeoff Winner) contains roughly 588 calories, with 7g protein, 76g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (31% of the Daily Value), iron (24% of the Daily Value), and calcium (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and protein.
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 canned cherry filling?
Yes, you can use fresh cherries! Just pit and chop about 2 cups of fresh cherries and mix them with a bit of sugar and cornstarch to thicken. This will give you a fresh and vibrant flavor in your bars, but be sure to adjust the baking time as fresh fruit may create more moisture.
What can I do if the bars are too dry?
If your bars turn out dry, it may be due to overbaking. To add moisture back, drizzle a little simple syrup or a light glaze over the bars before serving. You can also try serving them warm with ice cream to add creaminess and counterbalance the dryness.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the Pillsbury fudge cake mix with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix. Ensure that all other ingredients, including the chocolate pieces, are certified gluten-free to maintain the integrity of the recipe. This way, everyone can enjoy these delicious chocolate cherry bars!
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).