These Cherry Chocolate Chip Bars are crazy good and pretty quick and easy to make. They’re great for parties, especially 4th of July, but you don’t need a special occasion to bake them. As always, we include substitutions to make these bars gluten and dairy free.
We talk you through this recipe in Episode 290 of our podcast. If you enjoy these Cherry Chocolate Chip Bars, you may also enjoy our recipes for Cherry Clafoutis and delicious Mud Hen Bars.
Ingredients
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or dairy free plant butter, melted
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large chicken or duck egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour or gluten free 1-1 flour
¼ teaspoon salt, optional
¾ to 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
1 cup dark sweet cherries, fresh or frozen, pitted and sliced in half if large
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray, and set aside.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, melt the butter in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time.
Add the brown sugar to the butter and stir to combine.
Add the egg, vanilla, and stir again to thoroughly mix all of the wet ingredients together.
Next, add the flour and salt, and stir until just combined. Try to avoid overmixing.
Fold in the chocolate chips and cherries and pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula if desired.
Bake for 27 to 32 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges have turned golden brown and are beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Once the bars are cool you can lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper or foil. Slice them into desired size and enjoy!
