Cherry Chocolate Almond Bliss Bars
Satisfy your sweet cravings with these irresistible Cherry Chocolate Almond Bliss Bars, a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. The rich, buttery base is infused with oats for a hearty crunch, while succulent sweet cherries offer a burst of freshness. A luscious bittersweet chocolate filling adds a decadent touch, complemented by toasted almonds that provide a satisfying crunch. Perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as an afternoon treat, these bars combine simplicity with sophistication, making them a must-try recipe for any dessert lover!
25
Servings
125
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened, divided)
brown sugar
2 1/2 cups (packed and divided)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
eggs
4 (divided)
vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons (divided)
all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups (divided)
quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups
bittersweet chocolate
6 ounces (chopped)
fresh sweet cherries
2 cups (pitted)
almonds
1/2 cup (slivered and toasted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving some overhang for easy removal later. Set aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup of softened butter with a mixer on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds.
4
Add 1 cup of brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Beat until well combined, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl.
5
Beat in 1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
6
Gradually add 1-1/4 cups of flour, mixing until incorporated.
7
Fold in the oats and set this mixture aside.
8
For the chocolate filling, in a medium saucepan, combine the remaining 1-1/2 cups of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of butter. Heat over medium heat until melted and combined, removing from heat to cool slightly.
9
Once slightly cooled, stir in the remaining 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract using a wooden spoon, mixing until combined.
10
Fold in the remaining 1-1/4 cups of flour and the chopped chocolate until evenly mixed.
11
Press 3/4 of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a base.
12
Pour the chocolate filling over the oat layer, spreading it carefully.
13
Top the filling with the pitted cherries, followed by dollops of the reserved oats mixture. Finally, sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds on top.
14
Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the top is light brown and the filling is set but still moist.
15
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool on a wire rack for 1 hour.
16
Once cooled, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up.
17
Lift the bars from the pan using the foil overhang and cut into squares using a serrated knife.
18
Store the bars covered at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
5.3g
Fat
17.8g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
0.2g
Fiber
8.3g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cherry Chocolate Almond Bliss Bars?
They are a decadent bar cookie featuring an oat-infused buttery base, a rich bittersweet chocolate filling, fresh sweet cherries, and a toasted almond topping.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 25 individual bars.
What is the calorie count per bar?
Each bar contains approximately 125 calories.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
What size baking pan should be used?
You will need a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
How should I prepare the pan for easy removal?
Line the pan with aluminum foil, leaving enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out once they are cooled.
What type of oats are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 1-1/2 cups of quick-cooking rolled oats.
Can I use any type of cherries?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of fresh sweet cherries, which should be pitted before being added to the bars.
What kind of chocolate is used in the filling?
You should use 6 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate for the rich chocolate layer.
Do I need to toast the almonds?
Yes, for the best flavor and crunch, use 1/2 cup of slivered almonds that have been toasted.
How much butter is used in total?
The recipe uses 1 cup of softened butter, which is divided between the crust and the filling.
How many eggs are required?
You will need 4 eggs in total: 1 for the oat base and 3 for the chocolate filling.
How is the oat base prepared?
Beat softened butter, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, 1 egg, vanilla, and flour, then fold in the quick-cooking oats.
How do I make the chocolate filling?
Melt butter and brown sugar together, cool slightly, then stir in 3 eggs, vanilla, flour, and the chopped bittersweet chocolate.
What is the layering order for these bars?
Start with 3/4 of the oat mixture on the bottom, followed by the chocolate filling, then cherries, dollops of the remaining oats, and finally the toasted almonds.
How long should the bars bake?
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is light brown and the filling is set but still moist.
How long do the bars need to cool after baking?
They should cool on a wire rack for 1 hour at room temperature.
Do these bars require refrigeration before cutting?
Yes, after cooling for an hour, refrigerate them for at least 2 hours to ensure they are firm enough to cut.
What is the best way to cut the bars?
Lift the entire block out of the pan using the foil overhang and use a serrated knife to cut them into squares.
How should leftovers be stored?
The bars should be stored covered at room temperature.
What are the nutritional facts for fat and sugar?
Each bar contains approximately 5.3g of fat and 8.3g of sugar.
How many carbohydrates are in a single bar?
There are approximately 17.8g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does the recipe include salt or baking soda?
Yes, it uses 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to help with the texture and flavor of the base.
What total amount of flour is needed?
The recipe uses 2-1/2 cups of all-purpose flour in total, divided between the base and filling.
How much vanilla extract should I use?
You will need 1-1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract total: 1/2 teaspoon for the base and 1 teaspoon for the filling.
Is the brown sugar packed when measuring?
Yes, the 2-1/2 cups of brown sugar should be packed into the measuring cup.
Can I use this recipe for parties?
Yes, these bars are described as being perfect for sharing at parties due to their sophisticated flavor and easy-to-share format.
Are the almonds used for the base or the top?
The toasted slivered almonds are sprinkled on the very top of the bars before baking.
How much fiber and protein is in each serving?
Each bar provides approximately 1.5g of protein and 0.2g of fiber.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 11 primary ingredients required to make these bliss bars.