Description
The Cherry-Filled White Chocolate Bars feature the flavors of cherries and white chocolate (with just a hint of coconut, too.) Enjoy one for dessert or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 1 (11-ounce) package white chocolate chips, divided
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (if you don’t like almond extract use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dried sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare an 8″ by 8″ baking dish with baking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, or in the microwave on reduced power (about 70%) using 30-second increments.
- Add 1 cup of the white chocolate chips to the melted butter, but do not stir.
- Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the eggs until they are foamy. Gradually mix the sugar into the eggs, followed by the almond extract and the chocolate mixture. If you are using a stand mixer, start by beating the eggs, sugar, and almond extract with the whisk attachment, and then switch to the paddle attachment for the remaining ingredients.
- Combine the flour and salt in a separate bowl and add this to the batter. Mix until just combined. Do not over-mix.
- Spread half of the batter mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until just barely golden brown around the edges and the crust is set.
- While the crust is in the oven baking, melt the cherry preserves in a saucepan over low heat. Set aside.
- Use a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula to fold the remaining white chocolate chips and the coconut into the remaining half of batter.
- When the bottom crust is done, remove it from the oven and spread it all over with the melted cherry preserves. Then spoon the remaining batter over the top in dollops, taking it the whole way to the edges. It’s ok if there are some spaces between the spoonfuls of batter. Sprinkle the whole thing with sliced almonds.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bars are set and the top crust is lightly golden around the edges. The middle won’t brown very much, but you want it to be set and not jiggly.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool. When completely cool, cut into bars.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes