Cherry Chews

Sweet and nutty, Cherry Chews is a dessert bar with cherry and coconut flavours. Traditionally, we serve this dessert at Christmas, but it is also great for other occasions.

This easy-to-make dessert recipe is an old one that has been passed down through generations. We’re not sure when or where this dessert originated, but it is still a hit with our family today.

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Serving Cherry Chews Bars

Cherry Chews are very sweet, so we recommend serving these by cutting them into small squares about 1 inch in size.

Christmas is when we usually serve this dessert. We like to add these to the dessert tables throughout the season, along with other desserts like our Peanut Butter Marshmallow squares.

This recipe is also great to serve at bridal and baby showers, as well as potlucks.

Storing Cherry Chews

There are three ways to store these squares.

On the counter. For a soft and chewy dessert, these bars can be stored covered at room temperature for up to three days.

In the fridge. To make these bars last longer, store them covered in the fridge for up to one week.

Freeze them. This is our go-to way to store this dessert. Cut cherry chews into squares and freeze for up to three months. Our family even eats these straight out of the freezer without thawing.

Have you made this Cherry Chews recipe? We would love to hear about it. Leave a comment below telling us how you served these squares. Or tag us in your Instagram posts. 

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Cherry Chews

Sweet and nutty, these bars make a great Christmas dessert.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time50 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Canadian

Ingredients

Base

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ½ cup butter, softened to room temperature

Filling

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and quartered Reserve the juice for the icing.

Icing

• 2 Tbsp softened butter
• 1¼ cup powdered sugar
• 5-6 Tbsp reserved cherry juice
• ¼ tsp almond extract

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350℉ and line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment or spray with cooking spray.

Base

• In a large bowl whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.
• Add butter and mix well until crumbly.
• Press into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Filling

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar, and almond extract together.
• Stir in flour and baking powder until combined.
• Fold in the coconut and cherries.
• Pour over the base and spread with a spatula to cover the entire base.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until filling is lightly browned.
• Allow to cool in pan on a cooling rack.

Icing

• Combine all ingredients together until smooth, adding additional cherry juice is needed to reach a spreadable icing.
• Spread the icing over the cooled filling.
• Cut into squares and serve.
• Store in air-tight container at room temperature, in the fridge, or freeze.

Notes

There are three ways to store these squares.

On the counter. For a soft and chewy dessert, these bars can be stored covered at room temperature for up to three days.

In the fridge. To make these bars last longer, store them covered in the fridge for up to one week.

Freeze them. This is our go-to way to store this dessert. Cut cherry chews into squares and freeze for up to three months.