Sweet Cherry Mash Bars Recipe: A Dreamy Homemade Treat

Sweet dreams come alive with a nostalgic cherry mash bars treat that captures childhood memories in every decadent bite.

Memories of classic candy bars dance across your palate with this homemade delight.

Regional confection lovers will adore how simple ingredients blend into something magical.

Every baker can create these no-bake wonders with minimal kitchen skills.

Chocolate and cherry combine in a dreamy fusion that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Rich layers promise a delightful experience that feels both playful and sophisticated.

Start mixing and watch magic unfold in your kitchen – this recipe will become your new favorite dessert sensation.

Cherry Mash Bars with a Sweet Candy Center

• Super quick dessert that takes less than 30 minutes of active preparation time.
• Beginner-friendly recipe requiring minimal baking skills and simple ingredients anyone can handle.
• Delightful no-bake dessert ideal for potlucks, holiday gatherings, and casual summer get-togethers with friends and family.
• Flexible recipe allowing variations like adding different extracts or decorative toppings to match personal taste preferences.

What You’ll Need for Cherry Mash Bars

Main Ingredients:

Powdered Sugar: A sweet base that helps bind the mixture and provides smooth texture for the bars.

Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create a smooth, moldable consistency.

Maraschino Cherries: Provides sweet, fruity flavor and vibrant color to the bars.

Almond Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a delicate, nutty undertone.

Optional Add-Ins:

Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes handling the frozen bars easier.

Preparation Enhancers:

Cherry Juice: Adds moisture and intensifies the cherry flavor in the mixture.

Directions for Soft and Crunchy Candy Bars

Step 1: Blend Cherry Cream Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip together powdered sugar, softened butter, maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract until the mixture transforms into a silky, smooth consistency.

Step 2: Incorporate Cherry Chunks

Gently fold chopped maraschino cherries into the cream base. Assess the mixture’s texture- it should hold together when rolled. If too soft, sprinkle additional powdered sugar to achieve the right firmness.

Step 3: Shape Cherry Clusters

Roll the cherry mixture into compact, bite-sized spheres approximately one inch in diameter. Carefully place each ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Chill Cherry Clusters

Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer. Allow the cherry balls to solidify for a minimum of one hour, ensuring they become completely firm and maintain their shape.

Step 5: Prepare Chocolate Coating

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth and glossy.

• Chocolate chips
• Vegetable shortening (optional, for smoother melting)

Step 6: Dip Cherry Clusters

Using a fork or dipping tool, submerge each frozen cherry ball into the melted chocolate. Ensure complete and even coverage.

Step 7: Set Chocolate Shell

Place chocolate-coated cherry clusters back on the parchment-lined sheet. Allow chocolate to harden at room temperature or quickly set in the refrigerator.

Tips to Make Cherry Mash Bars Even Better

• Chill for Stability: Freezing the cherry balls helps them maintain shape and prevents crumbling during chocolate coating.
• Control Moisture Levels: Adjust powdered sugar carefully to achieve the right consistency- not too soft or too dry for perfect ball formation.
• Choose High-Quality Chocolate: Use premium chocolate coating for a smoother, more professional finish and richer flavor profile.
• Customize Cherry Intensity: Experiment with extra maraschino cherry juice or almond extract to enhance the fruity, nutty undertones.
• Store with Care: Keep bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain texture and prevent chocolate from melting.

How to Store Cherry Bars the Smart Way

• Store Cherry Mash Bars in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep them chilled to maintain their texture and prevent melting.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars will stay delicious for 2-3 months, preserving their rich cherry flavor.
• Remove bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. This gentle thawing helps restore their creamy consistency.
• Dust bars with a light layer of powdered sugar before storing to prevent them from clumping together and maintain their individual shape.

Pair Cherry Bars with These Treats

• Select a fruity, full-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Merlot that complements the sweet cherry flavors and balances the rich dessert.
• Serve a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream alongside the cherry bars to create a classic contrast between cold, creamy texture and sweet cherry intensity.
• Choose a light, sparkling almond-infused champagne that echoes the almond extract in the recipe and provides a celebratory, elegant drinking experience.
• Arrange dark chocolate pieces with 70% cocoa content next to the cherry bars, allowing the deep chocolate notes to highlight the cherries' sweetness and provide a sophisticated tasting experience.

New Flavor Ideas for Cherry Mash Bars

• Gluten-Free Cherry Bliss Bars: Replace powdered sugar with powdered monk fruit sweetener and use gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Cherry Delight Squares: Swap butter with coconut oil, use aquafaba instead of cherry juice, and add plant-based cream cheese for creamy texture.
• Low-Sugar Cherry Clusters: Substitute powdered sugar with stevia or erythritol, reduce cherry juice, and use sugar-free dark chocolate for coating to lower overall sugar content.
• Dairy-Free Cherry Treats: Use plant-based margarine or coconut butter instead of dairy butter, ensuring all ingredients are dairy-free while maintaining the classic cherry flavor profile.

Cherry Bar FAQs for Quick Help

• What are maraschino cherries?

Maraschino cherries are sweet, bright red cherries that have been preserved in a sugary syrup, originally from Croatia. They’re commonly used in desserts, cocktails, and as decorative toppings.

• Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

No, fresh cherries won’t work for this recipe. Maraschino cherries provide a specific sweetness and moisture that’s crucial for creating the right texture and flavor in Cherry Mash Bars.

• Why do I need to freeze the cherry balls?

Freezing helps the cherry mixture solidify and maintain its shape. It also makes the bars easier to handle and coat with chocolate, ensuring a clean and professional-looking final result.

• Is almond extract necessary for the recipe?

While almond extract adds depth and enhances the cherry flavor, you can omit it if you have an allergy or don’t enjoy its taste. The bars will still be delicious with just the cherry and sugar components.

Cherry Mash Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent cherry mash bars combine nostalgic Midwestern candy with homemade charm, blending rich chocolate and sweet maraschino cherries. Creamy layers and crunchy textures create a delightful dessert that satisfies sweet cravings and brings classic comfort to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g/8.8 ounces) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (100 g/3.5 ounces) finely chopped maraschino cherries
• 2 cups (340 g/12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (150 g/5.3 ounces) finely chopped roasted peanuts

Dairy and Liquid Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 g/2.1 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fluid ounces) maraschino cherry juice

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon almond extract

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Instructions

1. Combine powdered sugar, softened butter, maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract in a spacious mixing vessel, whisking until the mixture achieves a velvety, homogeneous consistency.
2. Gently incorporate chopped maraschino cherries into the blend, ensuring the texture remains compact enough for shaping. If the mixture appears too loose, incrementally introduce additional powdered sugar to achieve optimal moldability.
3. Carefully craft the cherry-infused mixture into compact spheres, approximately one inch in diameter, positioning each delicately on a parchment-lined tray.
4. Transfer the tray to the freezer, allowing the cherry orbs to solidify completely for a minimum of 60 minutes, or until they reach a robust, well-set state.

Notes

• Adjust the consistency of the cherry mixture by gradually adding powdered sugar if it feels too soft, ensuring easy rolling and shaping of the balls.
• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients, preventing lumpy texture.
• Freeze the cherry balls completely before dipping to maintain their shape and prevent melting during chocolate coating.
• Use high-quality maraschino cherries for more intense flavor and vibrant color in the final dessert, enhancing overall taste and presentation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 268
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg