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–+ servings
Close-up of a rich chocolate brownie topped with creamy peanut butter frosting and tart cherries, perfect for dessert recipes for busy weeknights.

Quick Chocolate Cherry Bars

These quick chocolate cherry bars are perfect for busy weeknights when you need a sweet treat without a lot of fuss. They combine a rich chocolate base with a creamy topping and are ready in under an hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Bars
  • 8 ounces unsweetened chocolate chopped
  • 3/4 cup butter cubed
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup maraschino cherries chopped
For the Topping
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana about 1 medium
  • 1/3 cup strawberry preserves
  • 1 large egg room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup chopped salted peanuts
Optional Garnish
  • Sliced bananas
  • Additional chopped maraschino cherries

Equipment

  • Microwave
  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • 13x9-in. baking pan
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan.
  2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chopped chocolate and butter. Stir until smooth.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar on high speed for 10 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Stir the vanilla extract and the melted chocolate mixture into the egg and sugar mixture.
  5. Gradually stir in the flour until just combined. Fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.
  6. Spread the chocolate cherry batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  7. For the topping, beat the softened cream cheese in a small bowl until smooth. Beat in the mashed banana and strawberry preserves. Add the lightly beaten egg and beat on low speed just until blended.
  8. Spread the cream cheese topping evenly over the brownie batter. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the topping.
  9. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is set and a toothpick inserted into the brownie portion comes out mostly clean.
  10. Cool the bars completely on a wire rack before cutting.
  11. Cut into bars. If desired, serve garnished with sliced bananas and additional chopped maraschino cherries. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

These bars are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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