Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies that bring bright color and irresistible flavor to your dessert table. These chewy, buttery bars are studded with vibrant maraschino cherries and finished with a creamy sweet cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, bake sales, or just a cozy night in, this recipe turns a simple cookie into a shareable treat that everyone will love. With easy steps and simple ingredients, you can enjoy bakery quality bars right from your oven in under an hour.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to love Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars. First, they’re bursting with juicy pops of sweet cherry in every bite, making them fun and flavorful. The soft, buttery sugar cookie base pairs beautifully with the light cream cheese frosting, creating a perfect balance of sweet and creamy. These bars are easy enough for beginning bakers but impressive enough for experienced dessert lovers. Plus, the bright colors make them a hit with kids and adults alike. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or craving a cheerful treat, this recipe delivers happiness in every square.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Bars
- 16 oz maraschino cherries, cut and rinsed
- 2 sticks butter, divided and softened
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Frosting
- 2 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp red sprinkles, optional
Step-by-Step: How to Make Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars
- Prepare the cherries
Drain the maraschino cherries and pat them dry. Cut each cherry into quarters or eighths depending on your size preference. Place them in a colander and rinse well to remove excess syrup. Set aside to drain completely. - Mix the dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1½ sticks of softened butter and the white granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps give your bars a soft and tender texture. - Add the wet ingredients
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the almond extract. - Incorporate dry ingredients
Slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet ingredients. Stir until you have a moist cookie dough. Be careful not to overmix. - Fold in cherries
Gently fold the drained and chopped cherries into the cookie dough, making sure they are evenly distributed without crushing them. - Press into pan
Lightly grease a 9×13 baking sheet and press the dough evenly into the pan. Use your hands or a spatula to smooth the top. - Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Avoid overbaking to keep your bars soft and chewy. - Cool
Take the pan out of the oven and allow the bars to cool fully on a wire rack before adding frosting. - Make the frosting
In a medium bowl, beat together the room temperature cream cheese, ½ stick of butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. - Frost and decorate
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. While the frosting is still fresh, sprinkle red sprinkles on top for a festive look. - Serve and enjoy
Slice into bars and serve. These bars are perfect with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.
Helpful Tips
- Dry your cherries well: Excess moisture from maraschino cherries can make the dough too wet. Pat them dry with paper towels after rinsing.
- Room temperature ingredients: Let your butter, cream cheese, and eggs come to room temperature before using. This ensures smooth, even mixing for the best texture.
- Even thickness: When pressing dough into the pan, make sure it’s evenly spread to ensure consistent baking.
- Watch your bake time: Ovens vary, so start checking for doneness at around 18 minutes. The center should be set but soft.
- Cool completely before frosting: If the bars are too warm, the frosting might melt and slide off. Cooling ensures a thick and creamy layer.
Substitutions And Variations
- Cherry alternatives: If you don’t have maraschino cherries, try candied cherries or dried cherries for a different texture.
- Extract swap: You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract for a more classic flavor profile.
- Frosting flavor: Add a hint of lemon zest to the frosting for a citrusy kick that complements the cherries.
- Sprinkles: Use holiday-themed sprinkles to match seasonal celebrations or omit them for a simple presentation.
- Chocolate chips: For a sweeter twist, add white chocolate chips into the dough alongside the cherries.
- Gluten-free: Substitute with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend to make these bars gluten-free.
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: Because of the cream cheese frosting, keep the bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze unfrosted bars in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before frosting and serving.
Nutritional Information
Each serving (based on a 24-serving batch) contains approximately:
- Calories: 256 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 131mg
- Potassium: 40mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 31g
- Vitamin A: 301 IU
- Calcium: 24mg
- Iron: 1mg
Serving Suggestions
- With beverages: Serve these bars with cold milk, coffee, or hot tea for a delightful pairing.
- Party platter: Arrange them on a dessert tray with other cookies and bars for celebrations.
- Ice cream topper: For an extra treat, gently warm a bar and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Picnic treat: Pack into airtight containers for outdoor gatherings or potlucks.
- Holiday dessert: Add them to your holiday dessert spread for a pop of color and festive flair.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars
What makes these bars different from regular sugar cookies?
Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars are softer, thicker, and chewier than traditional sugar cookies. The maraschino cherries add bursts of juice and color throughout the bars, making them more visually appealing and flavorful.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries can be used, but they should be pitted, chopped, and drained well to avoid adding too much moisture. Maraschino cherries are sweeter and already soft, which works well in this recipe.
Why do I need to rinse and dry the cherries?
Rinsing removes excess syrup, which can make the dough overly sticky or wet. Drying helps keep the dough texture just right and prevents soggy bars.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the bars ahead and store them unfrosted in the refrigerator. Add frosting just before serving to keep it fresh.
How do I know when the bars are done?
The edges should be lightly golden while the center remains set. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean.
Conclusion
Thank you for exploring this delightful recipe for Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars! I absolutely love how these bars combine cheerful color with sweet, rich flavor and a creamy frosting that makes every bite special. They’re easy to make, fun to share, and perfect for any occasion that calls for a memorable dessert. I hope this recipe brings joy to your kitchen and a smile to everyone who gets to taste them. Enjoy every bite and happy baking from my kitchen to yours!
Print
Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and packed with sweet cherry pieces. Topped with cream cheese frosting and colorful sprinkles, these easy-to-make dessert bars are perfect for sharing. Bake a batch and bring a pop of color to your next celebration!
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookie Bars:
16 oz maraschino cherries, drained, rinsed, and chopped
1½ sticks butter, softened
1 cup white granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ tsp almond extract
2½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
For the Frosting:
2 oz cream cheese, room temperature
½ stick butter, softened
¼ tsp vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp red sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cherries
Drain the maraschino cherries and pat them dry. Cut each cherry into quarters or eighths depending on your size preference. Place them in a colander and rinse well to remove excess syrup. Set aside to drain completely. - Mix the dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1½ sticks of softened butter and the white granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps give your bars a soft and tender texture. - Add the wet ingredients
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the almond extract. - Incorporate dry ingredients
Slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt into the wet ingredients. Stir until you have a moist cookie dough. Be careful not to overmix. - Fold in cherries
Gently fold the drained and chopped cherries into the cookie dough, making sure they are evenly distributed without crushing them. - Press into pan
Lightly grease a 9×13 baking sheet and press the dough evenly into the pan. Use your hands or a spatula to smooth the top. - Bake
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Avoid overbaking to keep your bars soft and chewy. - Cool
Take the pan out of the oven and allow the bars to cool fully on a wire rack before adding frosting. - Make the frosting
In a medium bowl, beat together the room temperature cream cheese, ½ stick of butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. - Frost and decorate
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. While the frosting is still fresh, sprinkle red sprinkles on top for a festive look. - Serve and enjoy
Slice into bars and serve. These bars are perfect with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.
Notes
Dry the cherries well to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
Let butter, cream cheese, and eggs come to room temperature for a smooth texture.
Bars can be made ahead and stored unfrosted in the fridge or freezer.
Customize with different sprinkles or add white chocolate chips for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes Additional Time (Cooling): 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 256 kcal
- Sugar: 31g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Protein: 2g