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maraschino cherry bars

(25 RATINGS)
5.45K Pinches 26 Photos
gail0925 avatar
Waupaca, WI
Updated on Dec 3, 2025

A dear friend's mom gave me this recipe; she is an amazing woman and an even more amazing cook! I'm so happy that she shared this with me. It always reminds me of Christmas because of the buttery bars and the red cherries, but it is wonderful any time of the year.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

These maraschino cherry bars are delicious any time of the year. They're moist, tender, and chewy with a nice crunch from the pecans. The crust tastes like a buttery shortbread cookie. Drizzling the rich and creamy frosting adds a final punch of cherry flavor. We used all of the 2 Tbsp of maraschino cherry juice for the frosting.

— The Test Kitchen
prep time 1 Hr 15 Min
cook time 50 Min
method Bake
yield 12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • BARS
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 ounces maraschino cherries, chopped; drain and save the juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
  • FROSTING
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice

How To Make maraschino cherry bars

  • Mix flour, granulated sugar, and butter.
    Step 1
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, granulated sugar, and butter until crumbly.
  • Press into a 9x13 pan.
    Step 2
    Press into a 9 x 13 pan.
  • Baked crust cooling.
    Step 3
    Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Blend eggs, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and vanilla.
    Step 4
    Blend eggs, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and vanilla.
  • Stir in chopped nuts and cherries.
    Step 5
    Stir in chopped cherries and nuts.
  • Pour batter over the crust.
    Step 6
    Put the batter on top of the crust.
  • Baked bars cooling.
    Step 7
    Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool.
  • Combine softened butter and powdered sugar for the frosting.
    Step 8
    Make the frosting. Combine 1 Tbsp of softened butter with 1 cup of powdered sugar.
  • Add cherry juice until frosting is a drizzling consistency.
    Step 9
    Add the saved cherry juice a little at a time until you get a drizzle consistency.
  • Drizzle frosting over the cooled bars.
    Step 10
    Drizzle the frosting over the cooled bars.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 471kcal, carbohydrates: 68g, cholesterol: 74mg, fat: 21, fiber: 2g, protein: 5g, saturated fat: 11g, sodium: 281mg, sugar: 48g, unsaturated fat: 9g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

Discover More

Keyword: #cherries
Keyword: #maraschino
Keyword: #cherry bar
Method: Bake
Culture: American
Ingredient: Flour
Collection: Holiday Baking

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