Cherries and Chocolate Blondie Bars: A Crunchy Yet Fondant Cake

If you’re craving a dessert that nails both texture and flavor, these cherries and chocolate blondie bars are your new go-to. Think crisp, slightly caramelized edges with a melt-in-your-mouth center, combined with juicy cherries and decadent chocolate—without the fuss.

Why This Recipe Works

This blend of flavors—rich blondie, tangy cherries, and chocolate—strikes the perfect balance between crunchy and soft. One-bowl simplicity means less cleanup and more indulgence.

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup to 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt (optional)
• 1 cup cherries (pitted and halved)
• 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or choice of your preference)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment or grease it.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and egg until smooth. Add vanilla and stir to combine.
3. Fold in flour and salt until just mixed. Gently stir in cherries and chocolate chips.
4. Spread batter in the prepared pan. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until edges pull away slightly and the center is set.
5. Let the blondies cool for at least one hour before slicing to allow them to set up properly.

Tips & Variations

• Cherries: Fresh are ideal to control moisture, but well-drained frozen or canned (not pie filling) can work in a pinch.
• Chocolate: Swap in white chocolate, dark chocolate, or chunks as desired.
• Texture: For nuttiness, brown the butter before mixing in sugar. This adds depth and complexity.
• Flavor twists: Try white chocolate and almond blondies with cherries for a chewy, gooey alternative.

Storage & Serving

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze slices for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature or gently reheat.
• Serving tip: Pair warm blondies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Final Thoughts
These cherries and chocolate blondie bars offer a simple yet irresistible dessert you can whip up any time. With minimal ingredients, one-bowl prep, and maximum flavor—from crunchy edges to gooey cherry-chocolate bliss—these blondies are sure to become a seasonal favorite.