Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

How to Make Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Making cherry chocolate chip cookie bars is simple with Betty Crocker™ Lower Sugar Cookie Mix. This easy recipe combines classic chocolate chip cookie flavor with dried cherries and walnuts, making it a family favorite. Check out our quick overview on how to make these tasty cherry chocolate chip cookie bars, then read on for the full ingredients and steps to create this delicious treat.

Prepare the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to make sure it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake. Lightly spray a 9-inch square pan with cooking spray to prevent the cookie bars from sticking. For even easier removal, line the pan with foil. To do this, turn the pan upside down, tear off a piece of foil longer than the pan, and smooth it around the bottom. Once removed, flip the pan back over and gently fit the shaped foil into the pan. Grease the foil with cooking spray so the bars come out perfectly after baking.

Mix the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, combine the cookie mix, softened butter, and egg. Softened butter is essential for achieving the right texture, so make sure to use butter that's soft but not melted. If you don’t have time to soften butter naturally, microwave butter in 5-second intervals, turning it frequently to prevent melting. Stir everything together until you have a soft, even dough that is thoroughly mixed.

Add the Mix-Ins

Once chopped, stir the cherries and walnuts into the dough until evenly distributed for the perfect bite every time. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Using a small icing spatula makes quick work and helps to smooth the dough evenly and ensure uniform baking.

Bake the Cookie Bars

Bake the bars for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with no cookie dough sticking. This quick check means the bars are baked through, and will have a soft, chewy center with slightly crisp edges.

Cool

Allow the cookie bars to cool completely on a cooling rack—about 1 hour. This helps the bars set properly, making them easier to cut. Once they’ve cooled, use a sharp knife to cut them into 16 equal pieces, cutting 4 rows by 4 rows.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Variations

Looking to mix things up? Here are some easy variations to customize your cherry chocolate chip cookie bars recipe:

Nut and Mix-In Alternatives: If walnuts aren't your favorite, no worries—there are plenty of options to try. You can easily swap them for other nuts like pecans, almonds, or cashews, each adding its own distinctive flavor and crunch. For something a little different, try macadamia nuts or hazelnuts. Dried cranberries or raisins are a great choice to add some chewiness. Don’t like nuts? Simply skip the nuts, and double the cherries.

Cookie Mix Variations: Try experimenting with other Betty Crocker™ cookie mixes like classic chocolate chip or sugar cookie. While these options aren’t lower in sugar, they each bring their own sweet twist to the bars, resulting in a delicious cookie bar every time. The mixing process remains the same, but you may need to adjust the bake time slightly, so keep an eye on them as they bake.

Topping Ideas: Elevate your cookie bars with fun toppings. Add a sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect sweet-salty balance. For a chocolate frosting drizzle, spoon some Betty Crocker™ Lower Sugar Frosting into a microwavable bowl, and heat it for just a few seconds, or until it’s thin enough to drizzle.

Storing your Bars

After completely cooling, cut your cookie bars into squares. To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and delicious. If you’d like them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.

For longer storage, freeze the bars by placing them in a freezer-safe container. Be sure to label the container with the contents and date and enjoy them within 2 months for the best flavor and texture. For extra protection, you can layer the bars with waxed or cooking parchment paper to prevent sticking.

More Bar Recipes

If you enjoy these cherry chocolate chip cookie bars, why not explore more cookie bar recipes?  There are plenty of delicious, satisfying options to satisfy your cravings. From timeless favorites to exciting new combinations, there's a cookie bar for every mood!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: These easy-to-make chocolate chip cookie bars combine chocolate, butterscotch, and white baking chips for a delicious treat with just five ingredients and 10 minutes of prep.

Sugar Cookie M&M’s™ Bars: Colorful and festive, these cookie bars are quick to make with a short ingredient list. Perfect for holiday cookie trays, potlucks, or cookie exchanges, they’re sure to be a hit!

Double-Berry White Chocolate Crumble Bars: Sugar cookie mix creates both the base and crumble topping for these fruity bars, packed with fresh raspberries, blueberries, and a finishing touch of white chocolate drizzle.

Choosing the Right Cherry Variety for Your Recipes

Cherries come in two main varieties: sweet and sour. Sweet cherries are juicy and best enjoyed fresh in snacks or salads. Sour cherries, or pie cherries, are tart and perfect for baking, especially in pies, jams, and sauces. Maraschino cherries, which are sweetened and preserved in syrup, add a pop of color and a sweet, slightly tangy flavor to cakes, cupcakes, and other treats. Their vibrant red hue makes them popular for decorating desserts and drinks.

For this recipe, we chose dried red tart cherries. Dried cherries offer a sweet and chewy texture with the concentrated tartness of fresh cherries, making them ideal for baking. They’re convenient to use since they don’t require pitting, but it’s always a good idea to check for any hidden pits or seeds. You can find dried cherries in the dried fruit section of most grocery stores, often near raisins and other dried fruits.