Chocolate Covered Cherry Magic Bars Recipe
These Chocolate Covered Cherry Magic Bars are a decadent layered treat featuring a fudgy chocolate base topped with juicy maraschino cherries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a rich drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. Baked to golden perfection, these bars are perfect for dessert lovers craving a luscious combination of chocolate and cherries in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients & Mix-ins
- 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 10 oz jar of maraschino cherries, drained and cut in half
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Make the Chocolate Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder until evenly combined. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and 1/4 cup chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Let the mixture cool slightly, then whisk in the vanilla and eggs until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick and fudgy. Spread this mixture evenly into your prepared baking pan, pressing it gently to form a smooth, even layer.
- Add the Cherry Layer: Thoroughly drain the maraschino cherries and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut each cherry in half and evenly distribute them over the chocolate base, pressing lightly into the batter to embed them slightly.
- Create the Magic Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the cherries. Then drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the entire surface, ensuring even coverage to allow for proper melting and caramelization during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set and golden while the center remains slightly jiggly but not wet. The chocolate chips on top should be melted and bubbly.
- Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan to allow the layers to set and ensure clean cuts. For best texture and flavor, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For easy removal, use parchment paper with an overhang to lift bars out of the pan.
- Make sure to drain and dry the maraschino cherries well to prevent soggy bars.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate chips based on preference.
- Refrigerating after baking allows the bars to firm up for cleaner slices.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keywords: chocolate cherry bars, magic bars, chocolate cherry dessert, fudgy chocolate bars, maraschino cherry dessert, baked chocolate treats
