CHERRY MASH BARS
Cherry Mash Bars are a delightful, decadent treat that combines the sweet and tart flavour of cherries with a rich, chocolatey base. These bars are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth at any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix or homemade chocolate cake batter
- ⅓ cup butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup maraschino cherries chopped, drained, and juice reserved
- 1 cup powdered sugar
For the Topping:
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup maraschino cherries chopped, drained
- 1 tablespoon cherry juice from the maraschino cherries
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Make the Bar Base:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and egg until smooth. Stir in the chopped maraschino cherries and 1 tablespoon of the cherry juice from the cherries.
Bake the Bars:
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the dish.
Prepare the Topping:
- In a small bowl, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Once melted, stir in the chopped maraschino cherries and cherry juice.
Assemble the Bars:
- Once the base has cooled, spread the chocolate topping evenly over the bars. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for the topping to set before cutting into squares.
Notes
Make Ahead:
The Cherry Mash Bars can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be refrigerated for longer freshness. Customizing the Flavour:
Add crushed nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the batter for added texture. You can also use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a richer flavour. Serving Suggestions:
These bars are great on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. Storage Tips:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for longer shelf life. Freeze the bars for up to 1 month for longer storage.
The Cherry Mash Bars can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be refrigerated for longer freshness. Customizing the Flavour:
Add crushed nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the batter for added texture. You can also use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a richer flavour. Serving Suggestions:
These bars are great on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. Storage Tips:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for longer shelf life. Freeze the bars for up to 1 month for longer storage.