When the holiday season rolls around, there’s nothing better than filling the kitchen with the smell of homemade treats. Christmas Cherry Bars are a simple, beautiful dessert that brings together a soft, buttery cake-like base, sweet maraschino cherries, and a delicate cherry glaze.
With their pretty red cherries and sweet, fruity flavor, these bars look right at home on a Christmas dessert table. They’re easy enough for beginner bakers, make a generous batch for sharing, and can be prepared ahead of time for holiday parties, family gatherings, or cookie exchanges.
If you’re looking for a festive dessert that doesn’t require complicated ingredients or decorating skills, these cherry bars are a wonderful choice.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cherry Bars
There’s plenty to love about this easy holiday dessert:
- Festive and colorful: Bright red cherries give the bars a beautiful Christmas-inspired appearance.
- Soft and buttery: The tender texture makes every bite rich and satisfying.
- Easy to make: Simple pantry ingredients come together in a straightforward recipe.
- Perfect for sharing: A 9×13-inch pan gives you plenty of bars for a crowd.
- Make-ahead friendly: They store well, making holiday preparation easier.
- Customizable: Add chocolate, nuts, or almond flavoring to create your own variation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cherry Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 jar maraschino cherries, about 10 ounces, drained and chopped
- ½ cup maraschino cherry juice
For the Cherry Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Garnish
- Whole maraschino cherries
How to Make Christmas Cherry Bars
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper for easier removal and cleanup.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
Add the softened butter and granulated sugar to a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer for about 3–4 minutes, or until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.
Taking the time to properly cream the butter and sugar helps create a tender texture.
3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until everything is smooth and well combined.
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until the ingredients are combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the finished bars too dense.
5. Fold in the Cherries
Gently fold the chopped maraschino cherries into the batter. Add the maraschino cherry juice and stir until evenly distributed.
The cherry juice adds extra flavor and gives the batter its lovely pinkish-red color.
6. Spread Into the Pan
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer, making sure the batter reaches the corners.
7. Bake
Bake for approximately 30–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely before adding the glaze.
How to Make the Cherry Glaze
While the bars cool, prepare the simple cherry glaze.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to a small bowl.
- Gradually stir in the maraschino cherry juice.
- Continue mixing until you have a smooth glaze that is thick enough to drizzle.
- Drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled bars.
- Add whole maraschino cherries on top for an extra festive finish, if desired.
Allow the glaze to set before slicing.
How to Cut and Serve
Once the glaze has hardened slightly, cut the bars into squares or rectangles.
These cherry bars make a lovely addition to:
- Christmas dessert platters
- Holiday parties
- Cookie exchanges
- Family dinners
- Brunches and afternoon gatherings
- Coffee or tea breaks
Serve them alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for an especially cozy holiday treat.
Tips for the Best Christmas Cherry Bars
Use Room-Temperature Butter
Softened butter blends much more easily with the sugar and helps create a smooth, fluffy batter.
Drain the Cherries Well
Be sure to drain the maraschino cherries before chopping them. Excess liquid can affect the consistency of the batter.
Don’t Overmix the Batter
Once the flour has been added, mix only until everything is combined. Overmixing can result in heavier, denser bars.
Cool Completely Before Glazing
This is an important step. Glazing warm bars can cause the icing to melt and become too thin.
Check Early for Doneness
Oven temperatures can vary, so begin checking the bars around the 30-minute mark. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with only a few crumbs.
Storage
These Christmas Cherry Bars are convenient to make ahead and store.
- Room temperature: Keep them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Store for approximately 1 week in a tightly covered container.
- Freezer: Wrap the bars well and freeze for up to 3 months.
If frozen, let them thaw at room temperature for several hours before serving.
Easy Variations
Want to give these cherry bars your own twist? Try one of these ideas.
Chocolate Cherry Bars
Fold ½ cup chocolate chips into the batter for a classic chocolate-and-cherry combination.
Almond Cherry Bars
Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract for a delicious bakery-style cherry and almond flavor.
Nutty Cherry Bars
Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for a little extra crunch and texture.
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cherry Bars are the kind of holiday dessert that looks festive without requiring complicated decorating or difficult techniques. Their soft, buttery texture, sweet cherry flavor, and pretty glaze make them perfect for sharing throughout the holiday season.
Whether you’re preparing a dessert platter for Christmas, baking for a cookie exchange, or simply craving a homemade fruity treat, these cherry bars are an easy and delicious choice. Bake a batch, add a little extra cherry garnish, and enjoy a sweet taste of the holiday season!
