Chewy Fresh Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These chewy cookie bars combine fresh cherries and semi-sweet chocolate chips for a dense, flavorful dessert with a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness. Easy to make and perfect for summer gatherings or any time you want a comforting treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (310g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 ½ cups (270g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and glossy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding by hand until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Gently fold in the fresh cherries and chocolate chips with a spatula, being careful not to mash the cherries.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula or lightly greased hands.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until edges are golden brown and the center is slightly soft with moist crumbs on a toothpick.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into squares. Refrigerate for 15 minutes if easier slicing is desired.
Notes
Pat cherries dry before folding in to reduce excess moisture and avoid soggy bottoms. Do not overmix dough after adding flour to keep bars chewy. Use softened butter, not melted, for best texture. Cool bars completely before slicing or refrigerate for easier cutting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 24 b
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: cherry chocolate chip cookie bars, chewy cookie bars, fresh cherry dessert, easy homemade dessert, summer dessert, chocolate chip bars