Chocolate Cherry Bars
51 Comments
Posted: 04/26/20
Updated: 11/11/22
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Rich, fudge brownies stuffed with cherry flavor and topped with a homemade chocolate icing makes these Chocolate Cherry Bars so delicious! They are super easy to make because they start with a boxed cake mix. Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, parties and more.
If you’ve been following along you know how much I love dessert bars and I’ve got an amazing one for you today! Imagine chocolate covered cherries turned into decadent brownies with a cherry twist and you get these chocolate cherry bars.
This is an old family recipe from my mom. I’d almost forgotten about them until I was going through her recipe box recently and I just had to share them with you! They are so moist and yummy and the chocolate frosting just takes them over the top – I love how the icing is shiny and crackled once it’s cooled.
Everything about these bars is perfection -the rich brownies with the cherry filling and the icing is just impossible to resist. If you’ve been looking for a way to dress up brownies I think you’re going to love them! They are super easy to make with cake mix and cherry pie filling – the perfect dessert to satisfy your chocolate cravings. And after you try them, be sure to make these Chocolate Cherry Cookies…you’ll love them just as much!
Contents
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How to Make Chocolate Cherry Bars
What I love about the brownie bar part is that you only need eight ingredients to make them. Devil’s food cake mix is the key to making these really easy! No need to drag out all the dry ingredients – the mix takes care of it.
You also only need one bowl – it’s seriously a dump and mix recipe that takes just a few minutes to make.
So, start by combining the cake mix with cherry pie filling, almond extract, and eggs. Mix them up together and then pour the batter into a prepared 15×10″ pan. I like to smooth the top of the batter so every corner of the pan is filled.
Bake the brownies for 20 to 30 minutes at 350°F or until a toothpick comes out clean.
How to Make the Icing
I like to make the icing right after I pull the bars out of the oven that way you can frost the brownies while they are still warm.
- Place butter, sugar and milk in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Boil it for one minute and then add chocolate chips. Stir until they melt and the mixture is smooth.
I love the icing because as it cools on the bars it hardens so you get that shiny and crackled layer on top.
After you’ve iced the brownies leave them to cool and set before you slice them. Then watch them disappear! Every bite has the amazing cherry and chocolate combo – you can’t eat just one! In fact, you might want to hide them!
How to Store Them
You can make these bars a day in advance – just make sure they’re completely cooled before you wrap them with plastic wrap. They will keep well at room temperature for a few days.
I have to say that they probably won’t last a few days! They are just too good – I hope you love them as much as we do!
More Amazing Dessert Recipes!
Looking for more dessert recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth? Here are a few you have to try!
- Cherry pie bars have a soft, flaky crust flavored with almond and stuffed with cherry pie filling! Easier than pie but just as yummy!
- My lemon-blueberry dump cake is an easy 3-ingredient dessert that is so easy to make!
- This caramel cookie bar recipe is EPIC! There’s a reason people call them “knock you naked bars”!
WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS RECIPE BELOW:
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Be sure to give this recipe a try! If you love this recipe as much as we do (pretty sure you will!), be sure to leave a five-star rating below!
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Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Chocolate Cherry Bars
Rich, fudge brownies stuffed with cherry flavor and topped with a homemade chocolate icing! They are super easy to make because they started with a boxed cake mix.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 15.25 oz pkg Devils Food cake mix
- 21 oz can cherry pie fruit filling
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 eggs beaten
Frosting
- 2 c. sugar
- 8 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 c. milk
- 1 1/4 c. chocolate chips
Instructions
- Grease and flour a 15" x 10" jelly roll pan. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl mix cake mix, cherry pie filling, almond extract and eggs together and completely combined. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into middle of brownies comes out clean.
- As soon as you take the bars out of the oven prepare icing. In a saucepan boil sugar, butter and milk for 1 minute then add chocolate chips. Stir until chips are melted. Spread on warm bars.
- Let bars cool completely and icing harden before cutting.
Tips
How to Store Them
You can make these bars a day in advance - just make sure they're completely cooled before you wrap them with plastic wrap. They will keep well at room temperature for a few days.
Video
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1, Calories: 452kcal (23%), Carbohydrates: 76g (25%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 15g (23%), Saturated Fat: 7g (44%), Cholesterol: 39mg (13%), Sodium: 348mg (15%), Potassium: 163mg (5%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 53g (59%), Vitamin A: 335IU (7%), Vitamin C: 1.5mg (2%), Calcium: 87mg (9%), Iron: 1.9mg (11%)
KJ HENISA says
This is the 3rd time making this & each one has been a huge hit. It’s just so simple though, I almost feel guilty. I usually cook & bake from scratch as much as possible. However, I don’t think I could improve on this delicious cake. I was never a chocolate cake fan but my family is. I have to agree with them, especially if we’ve got some vanilla ice cream on hand. I always top it with chopped walnuts because I love nuts & add them to almost everything. Thanks for the recipe. 🤩
Cathy W says
Recipe looks great. I haven’t tried yet because I don’t have a 10×15 pan. I was thinking of using my 9×13 pan and cooking a bit longer. Do you have any suggestions about how much longer I should cook them for or does that sound like a bad idea?
Helen says
I’m going to buy everything and make them.They look delicious.
Julie Evink says
I hope you enjoy them Helen!
Peggy Carpino says
Easy and delicious! Goes great with a scoop of ice cream
Julie Evink says
Yes that’s the perfect addition Peggy! Thanks for rating and commenting on it!
Terry says
Easy to make. I made them for Valentine’s Day. Today yummy
Kas says
Recipe looks great! I think I had some user error though and was wondering if I could have some feedback. When mixing my batter seemed VERY dry and required a lot of stirring to incorporate the cake mix. I think all the stirring made it rise all the way up to the top in the 13×9 pan. Haven’t tasted yet but I’m thinking they’ll be more cakey than dense brownie. Also my chocolate chips took forever to melt and my icing ended up super runny when putting on the bars. Any suggestions for how to improve next time? Thanks!
Carol says
Its sooo good with the icing I put candy flavor raspberry flavor in it omg!! Amazing yummy 😋
Julie Evink says
Wonderful to hear! It’s one I grew up with. Love the idea to add raspberry flavor!
Lolo says
My friend shared this recipe with me and this is now the third time I’m making it for my family! It’s requested and so easy to make! The glaze is phenomenal and really puts it apart from all the other recipes out there! Thank you!
Julie Evink says
That’s great to hear. My Mom made these when I was growing up and it was always a fave! Thanks so much for commenting and rating the recipe!
LeslieMac says
wondering what brand of cherry pie filling you used. everyone that i have ever purchased is all juice and hardly any cherries. No where near the amount that is in the video or picture.
Darlene says
Has anyone made with these with vanilla instead of almond? I have a friend who doesn’t like almond anything. I plan on making these for a potluck this Wednesday. Thanks!
Julie Evink says
Changing it to vanilla should work just fine!
Darlene says
I thought so, too! Just wanted a second opinion. Thanks!
Christina says
Almond complements Cherry, like awesome!!!
Millie Sweig says
This was so GOOOOD.
MOIST TO. I don’t care for cherries usually. But this was truly amazing
Julie Evink says
Great to hear! Thank you for commenting and rating the recipe!
Angel says
In a hurry could I use store bought frosting?
Julie Evink says
You can, this is more of a glaze type frosting but that will work!
Jordan says
I made these to distribute to my family members at Christmas because we aren’t able to all get together in person and these were such a hit! Really easy to make, I’ll definitely be making these again.
Julie says
Awesome! I’m so glad you loved them!
Sasha says
Fabulous!! Took two trays to a cattle branding yesterday. They were devoured by a crew of hungry cowboys and cowgirls!
Julie says
Excellent! Glad they were a hit!
BeckyB says
A W E S O M E!!!!!!
Thank you!!!!
Julie says
You’re welcome! So glad you love it!