Cherry-Almond Bars Recipe

This Cherry-Almond Bars recipe is a chewy and gooey recipe, which is made with dried cherries and toasted sliced almonds. It’s the perfect holiday treat, ready in about 45 minutes, plus cooling time.

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Cherry-Almond Bars Recipe Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 3 (5.3-ounce) boxes shortbread cookies (such as Walkers)
• 1 stick salted butter, melted
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup toasted sliced almonds
• 1 cup chopped dried cherries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

How To Make Cherry-Almond Bars

1. Prep the Oven and Crust: Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides to use as handles. Coat the parchment with cooking spray.
2. Make the Crust: Pulse the shortbread cookies in a food processor until they are finely ground. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse until the crumbs are completely coated and resemble wet sand.
3. Assemble the Layers: Press the crumb mixture evenly and firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top and gently spread it to the edges with the back of a spoon.
4. Add Toppings and Bake: Sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds, chopped dried cherries, and white chocolate chips evenly over the condensed milk. Gently press them down into the milk with your hands.
5. Bake and Cool Completely: Bake until the bars are golden brown around the edges and the center is set, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 3 hours. This step is crucial.
6. Slice and Serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan. Slice with a serrated knife into bars or squares.

Recipe Tips

• How do you get clean, perfect slices? The most important tip for this type of bar is to let it cool completely for several hours. Chilling it in the refrigerator for the final hour will make the gooey condensed milk layer firm, which is the secret to getting neat, clean cuts.
• What’s the best cookie for the crust? A rich, buttery shortbread cookie is the perfect base. If you can’t find them, an equal amount of graham cracker or vanilla wafer crumbs would also work well.
• Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely! These bars are a perfect make-ahead dessert. They actually slice better and their flavor melds beautifully if they are made a day in advance.
• Why are my bars too gooey? This is usually a sign that they were not allowed to cool and set for long enough before being cut. The sweetened condensed milk needs several hours at room temperature, or a final chill in the fridge, to firm up properly.

What To Serve With Cherry-Almond Bars

These bars are incredibly rich, sweet, and satisfying, making them a perfect standalone treat. They are a classic for holiday platters, bake sales, and parties. They are best served with:

• A strong cup of black coffee or espresso to cut the sweetness
• A cold glass of milk

How To Store Cherry-Almond Bars

• Room Temperature/Refrigerate: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage or in a warm climate, it’s best to keep them in the refrigerator, which will also keep the filling firm.
• Freeze: These bars freeze exceptionally well. Once they are cut, place them in a freezer-safe container, layered with parchment paper, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Cherry-Almond Bars Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 1 bar
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Sugar: 35g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Cherry Punch Recipe
• Apple, Pecan, and Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cherries Recipe
• Red Cherry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe