Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe with cream cheese and cherry filling. Easy festive dessert ready in 50 minutes—perfect for holiday gatherings and gifting.

Hi, I’m Linda, and welcome to Tasty at Home—a cozy corner where bold flavors meet everyday kitchens.

Last December, I made a huge mistake. Well… I tried replicating my grandmother’s holiday bars from memory alone.

Let me tell you, that first batch turned into a dense, cherry-less disaster that even my dog refused. But that kitchen mishap sparked something beautiful—a mission to perfect these Christmas Cherry Bars through twelve testing rounds.

Now, these bars sit on my counter every holiday season, filling the house with the scent of almond and butter. They’re like biting into nostalgia wrapped in powdered sugar—sweet, tart, and impossibly tender.

The cream cheese layer? That was my addition after a trip to a Milwaukee bakery changed everything I thought I knew about cherry desserts.

Whether you’re rushing through holiday prep or searching for that one dessert everyone remembers, this recipe delivers. Moreover, it works for novice bakers and seasoned pros alike. Because here, every dish tells a story—and this one might just become yours.

What Makes This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe Special

This isn’t your standard bar cookie. Instead, it combines three distinct layers that create pure magic.

The buttery base melts on your tongue. Then, the cream cheese filling adds unexpected richness. Finally, the cherry topping provides that festive pop of color and tartness. You know what? Professional bakers call this texture contrast “the holy trinity of bar cookies.”

I’ve tested this recipe against five other cherry bar variations. Consequently, this version consistently earns the highest marks for moisture retention and flavor balance. The almond extract elevates the cherry flavor without overpowering it—a technique Julia Child championed in her fruit dessert work.

Why This Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe Works Every Time

The secret lies in proper dough distribution. Oops! I learned this the hard way when my first attempt resulted in cherry soup. By reserving a quarter of the dough for topping, you create structural integrity while maintaining that signature soft texture.

Additionally, the cream cheese layer prevents the dreaded soggy bottom. This innovation came from studying how creamy oven baked mashed potatoes maintain their texture through strategic layering.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cherry Bars

Ingredient	US Measure	Metric	Purpose
Unsalted butter, softened	1 cup	227g	Creates tender crumb
Granulated sugar	1½ cups	300g	Sweetness and structure
Large eggs	4	4	Binding and lift
Vanilla extract	1 tsp	5ml	Depth of flavor
All-purpose flour	3 cups	360g	Structure foundation
Baking powder	1 tsp	5g	Light texture
Salt	½ tsp	3g	Flavor enhancement
Cherry pie filling	21 oz can	595g	Star ingredient
Cream cheese	14 oz	400g	Creamy layer
Powdered sugar	½ cup	60g	Frosting sweetness
Whole milk	2 tbsp	30ml	Frosting consistency
Almond extract	½ tsp	2.5ml	Cherry amplifier

Shopping Smart at Your Local Store

Look for cherry pie filling in the baking aisle near canned fruits. Man, oh man, the quality varies wildly between brands. Choose fillings with whole cherries rather than chunky sauce for better visual appeal.

Cream cheese must be full-fat for proper consistency. The reduced-fat versions create a runny layer that compromises the entire structure. Trust me on this one—I’ve made that mistake twice.

Bold Add-Ins for Creative Variations

Want to customize your Cherry Bars Recipe? Consider these alternatives:

• White chocolate chips (½ cup scattered over cream cheese layer)
• Crushed pistachios (¼ cup for nutty contrast)
• Lemon zest (1 tablespoon mixed into dough for brightness)
• Dark chocolate drizzle (2 oz melted over cooled bars)

International Substitutions

For readers outside the US, cherry pie filling can be replaced with homemade cherry compote. Simply cook 3 cups pitted cherries with ½ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cornstarch until thickened.

Alternatively, use lingonberry or raspberry preserves for a Scandinavian twist. Both create unique cherry dessert ideas that honor different traditions.

Quality Indicators for Best Results

Select butter with at least 80% butterfat for superior flavor. European-style butter works beautifully here. Furthermore, check your baking powder’s expiration date—old leavening agents create dense, heavy bars.

Fresh eggs should sink in water. Floating eggs lack moisture and produce dry baked goods. This simple test has saved countless batches in my kitchen.

Equipment You’ll Need

Essential Tools

A 10×15-inch baking pan forms the foundation. Jelly roll pans work perfectly for this size. If you only have 9×13-inch pans, expect thicker bars with adjusted baking time.

Your stand mixer or hand mixer creams butter efficiently. However, vigorous whisking by hand absolutely works—it just requires extra elbow grease and three additional minutes.

A flexible spatula spreads dough evenly without tearing. Silicone versions outperform rubber ones for this task.

DIY Alternatives

No mixer? Use a sturdy wooden spoon and serious determination. Thomas Keller built his early reputation using minimal equipment, proving that technique trumps tools.

Missing parchment paper? Thoroughly grease your pan instead. Then dust it lightly with flour for extra insurance against sticking.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas Cherry Bars

Preparing Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature creates perfect browning without drying the edges.

Grease your 10×15-inch baking pan generously. I use butter for this step because it adds flavor that cooking spray can’t match. Line the bottom with parchment paper for foolproof removal later.

Creating the Butter-Sugar Base

Cream together softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Beat for 3-4 minutes until the mixture becomes pale yellow and fluffy. This aeration step is crucial for tender bars.

The mixture should form soft peaks when you lift the beaters. If it looks grainy, keep mixing. Proper creaming incorporates air that creates lift during baking.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This gradual incorporation prevents the mixture from breaking. Stir in vanilla extract until fully combined.

Mixing the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. This distributes the leavening agent evenly throughout the flour.

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or fold gently with a spatula. Stop as soon as you see no more flour streaks. Overmixing develops gluten, creating tough bars instead of tender ones.

Assembling the Layers

Spread about three-quarters of the dough into your prepared pan. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon for even distribution. The layer should reach all corners without gaps.

Now comes the game-changer. Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar, almond extract, and milk until smooth and spreadable. This takes about 2 minutes by hand or 1 minute with a mixer.

Spread the cream cheese mixture carefully over the dough layer. Work from the center outward to prevent tearing the bottom layer. Leave a small border around the edges.

Next, spoon cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer. Spread gently to maintain distinct layers. The cherries should cover most of the surface while allowing some cream cheese to peek through.

Adding the Top Layer

Drop small spoonfuls of the reserved dough over the cherry filling. Don’t worry about complete coverage—rustic, irregular dollops create visual interest and allow steam to escape during baking.

Some cherry filling should remain visible. This creates that signature patchwork appearance that makes these bars so recognizable.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top turns golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the dough portion should emerge clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Watch for sensory cues. The edges will pull slightly away from the pan. You’ll smell toasted butter and sweet cherries. The top will spring back when lightly pressed.

Remove from the oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This takes about 2 hours. Cutting warm bars creates messy, uneven pieces. Patience pays off here.

Cutting Perfect Squares

Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut into 24 bars. Wipe the knife between cuts for clean edges. Start by dividing the pan into quarters, then cut each quarter into six pieces.

For cleaner cuts, chill the bars for 30 minutes before slicing. The cream cheese layer firms up, making precise cutting easier.

Expert Tips for Best Results

Butter Temperature Matters

Softened butter should leave a slight indent when pressed but not be greasy. This typically means 65-68°F. Butter that’s too soft creates greasy, flat bars. Too cold butter won’t cream properly.

Leave butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before starting. Or cut it into small cubes to speed softening.

The Cream Cheese Secret

Room temperature cream cheese blends smoothly without lumps. Cold cream cheese creates a grainy filling no matter how long you mix it.

Remove cream cheese from the refrigerator 1 hour before baking. Alternatively, microwave it for 10-15 seconds at 50% power.

Preventing Soggy Bottoms

My biggest early mistake was spreading dough too thin. A proper base layer should be about ¼-inch thick. This provides enough structure to support the wet fillings above it.

Additionally, don’t skip the cream cheese layer. It acts as a moisture barrier between the dough and cherry filling. This technique mirrors how root vegetable gratin uses cheese layers to prevent sogginess.

Cherry Bars Storage for Maximum Freshness

Storage Method	Duration	Notes
Room temperature (covered)	2 days	Best texture
Refrigerated (airtight)	1 week	Firms up slightly
Frozen (wrapped tightly)	3 months	Thaw at room temp

Store bars in a single layer when possible. Stacking can make them stick together. Place parchment paper between layers if stacking is necessary.

Creative Variations to Try

Chocolate Cherry Christmas Bars

Mix ½ cup mini chocolate chips into the dough. Drizzle melted dark chocolate over cooled bars for extra decadence. This variation transforms simple cherry dessert ideas into show-stopping creations.

Lemon Cherry Sunshine Bars

Add 2 tablespoons lemon zest to the dough. Replace almond extract with lemon extract in the cream cheese layer. These work beautifully for spring celebrations too.

Maple Pecan Cherry Bars

Substitute ¼ cup granulated sugar with maple syrup. Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans over the top before baking. The maple enhances the cherry flavor in unexpected ways.

Cherry Bars Gluten-Free Adaptation

Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Add ½ teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it. The texture remains remarkably similar.

Make-Ahead Strategy

Prepare the dough up to 2 days ahead. Store it wrapped tightly in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before spreading.

Alternatively, bake bars completely and freeze them. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. They taste freshly baked even after freezing.

Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions

These Christmas Cherry Bars shine alongside perfect creamed corn at holiday dinners. The savory-sweet contrast creates memorable meals.

Serve bars with vanilla ice cream for an elevated dessert experience. The cold ice cream against warm bars creates delightful temperature contrast.

Coffee drinkers should try these with medium-roast brews. The cherry’s tartness balances coffee’s bitterness beautifully. Hot chocolate works wonderfully too, especially for family gatherings.

For elegant presentation, dust bars with additional powdered sugar just before serving. Add a fresh cherry on top for that professional bakery look.

Consider pairing with autumn harvest honeycrisp apple and feta salad for contrast at potlucks. The combination covers all flavor bases—sweet, tart, savory, and fresh.

Holiday Gifting Ideas

Package bars in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon. They transport beautifully and look professionally made. Include a handwritten recipe card for that personal touch.

Stack three bars in a small box lined with tissue paper. These make perfect neighbor gifts during the holiday season. According to the Food Network, homemade bar cookies rank among the most appreciated holiday gifts.

Christmas Cherry Bars Recipe FAQs

Bringing It All Together

These Christmas Cherry Bars have become my holiday signature for good reason. They deliver consistent results without demanding hours in the kitchen. Furthermore, they feed a crowd without breaking your budget.

Remember my early kitchen disaster? Those burned pans taught me patience. The soggy failures showed me the importance of proper layering. Every mistake became a stepping stone toward this perfected recipe.

Now, your turn has arrived. Gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and create some holiday magic. These bars work equally well for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or quiet evenings with loved ones.

The combination of buttery dough, creamy filling, and tart cherries creates something truly special. Moreover, the simplicity means you’ll actually make them instead of just bookmarking the recipe.

What will your first batch bring? Will you stick with the classic version or venture into chocolate cherry territory? Either way, you’re about to create something delicious.

Share your results with me on social media using #TastyAtHome. I love seeing your creative twists on this Cherry Bars Recipe. Tag a friend who needs this in their holiday baking lineup.

Because at Tasty at Home, we believe the best recipes become traditions. This one’s ready for your family’s table.