Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Bars
Indulge in these buttery shortbread bars studded with dark chocolate and sweet maraschino cherries! Each bite combines rich chocolate with the bright pop of cherry flavor, making for an irresistible treat thats perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients:
For the Bars:
1 cups 3 sticks margarine, at room temperature 杻
cup SPLENDA Naturals Sugar & Stevia Sweetener Blend
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
tsp almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tbsp cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt 蓼
11.5 oz dark chocolate chips
cup maraschino cherries, chopped and drained
Instructions:
1 Preheat and Prep the Pan:
Preheat your oven to 325F 165C.
Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, or leave it ungreased if not using parchment.
2 Cream the Butter and Sweetener:
In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and SPLENDA Naturals for about 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
3 Add Extracts:
Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts until fully incorporated.
4 Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt.
5 Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
6 Fold in Chocolate Chips:
Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips, making sure theyre evenly distributed.
7 Add the Cherries:
Drain and chop the maraschino cherries, pressing out any excess juice to keep the dough from becoming too wet.
Carefully fold the cherries into the dough.
8 Spread the Dough:
Evenly spread the dough into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down with a spatula to smooth the top.
9 Bake:
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Cool and Chill:
Let the bars cool completely in the dish. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the bars to set fully.
11 Slice and Serve:
Once chilled, lift the parchment paper out of the dish, and cut the bars into 48 squares. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
Storage Tips: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Customization: Feel free to swap dark chocolate chips for milk or white chocolate for a different flavor twist!
Recipe Summary:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes including cooling
Servings: 48 bars
Calories: 120 kcal per bar
These bars are soft, buttery, and perfectly balanced with chocolate and cherry in each bite. Perfect for sharingor keeping all to yourself!