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Okay, picture this: it’s the holidays, the fireplace is crackling, and the smell of warm spices is filling the air. That’s exactly what these Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars bring to the table! They’re seriously the *perfect* treat to whip up when you want something a little different, a little festive, and a WHOLE lot delicious. I remember the first time I tried speculoos spice; it was in these little Dutch cookies my neighbor made, and I was hooked! Now, combining that warm, cozy spice with rich chocolate and chewy cherries? Genius. Trust me, these Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars are gonna be your new holiday baking obsession.
Why You’ll Love These Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
Seriously, you’re going to *adore* these bars. Here’s why:
- **That Speculoos Spice!** It’s warm, cozy, and totally festive – like a hug in a bite!
- **Chocolate + Cherry = Heaven:** The dark chocolate and sweet cherries are a match made in dessert paradise.
- Easy-Peasy Baking: No crazy techniques or fussy steps, just simple baking that anyone can master.
- Holiday Cheer in Every Slice: These bars are just screaming “celebration!” Perfect for gifting or serving at parties.
Ingredients for Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened – make sure it’s *really* soft!
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar – adds that lovely molasses flavor!
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – the good stuff!
- 2 teaspoons speculoos spice – this is key!
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate – don’t skimp on quality here!
- 1 cup dried cherries, chopped – or use fresh if you’re feeling fancy.
How to Make Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars: Step-by-Step
Okay, let’s get baking! Follow these steps, and you’ll be munching on these bars in no time. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!
- **Get Ready:** First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important! While the oven is heating up, grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. You don’t want those bars sticking!
- Dry Stuff:** In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisking just makes sure everything is evenly distributed — no one wants a salty surprise bite!
- Cream It!:** In a *separate*, larger bowl (we’re making a mess today!), cream together 1/2 cup (that’s one stick) of softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar. You’ll want to beat this until it’s light and fluffy – like whipped cream, almost! Then, beat in one large egg and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Get it all nice and combined. Don’t forget to stir in the 2 teaspoons of speculoos spice – that’s where the magic happens!
- Mix It All Up:** Gradually add the dry ingredients (from step 2) to the wet ingredients (from step 3). Mix until *just* combined. Be careful not to overmix; otherwise, your bars might get tough. A few streaks of flour are okay!
- Load ‘Em Up:** Fold in 1 cup of chopped dark chocolate and 1 cup of chopped dried cherries. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. This is the best part!
- Into the Pan!:** Press the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan. You might need to use your fingers to get it all the way to the corners.
- Bake Time!:** Bake for 25-30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs (not wet batter!). Keep an eye on them – every oven is different.
- Cool Down:** This is the hardest part – let the bars cool *completely* in the pan before cutting into them. I know, it’s torture, but trust me; they’ll be much easier to cut and will taste even better!
Tips for Perfect Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
Want bakery-worthy Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars? Of course, you do! Here are a few of my top tips. And trust me, I’ve learned these the hard way – like the time I tried to rush the cooling process and ended up with a crumbly mess. Oops!
- **Good Chocolate Matters**: Seriously, splurge on that good-quality dark chocolate. You’ll taste the difference!
- Don’t Overbake!**: Those moist crumbs on the toothpick? That’s what you’re aiming for. Overbaking will dry them out, and nobody wants dry bars.
- Patience is Key**: Let them cool *completely* before cutting. I know, it’s tough, but it’s worth it for clean slices!
Variations on Your Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars. Now, wanna get a little crazy? Here are some fun twists you can try! My favorite is swapping the cherries for cranberries around the holidays – so festive!
- **Chocolate Switch-Up:** Try milk chocolate or even white chocolate chunks instead of dark! It’ll give the bars a totally different vibe.
- **Nuts About It:** Add chopped pecans or walnuts for some extra crunch. About 1/2 cup should do the trick.
- Fruity Fun:** Not feeling cherries? Use dried cranberries, apricots, or even raisins. Get creative.
- Spice It Up:** Experiment with other spices! A pinch of cardamom or even a dash of chili powder (like in these Mexican hot chocolate cookies!) could add a fun kick.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
Want to get ahead of the game? You can totally make these Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars in advance! Just bake them, let them cool completely, and then store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Or, for longer storage, wrap them well and freeze them for up to a month. When you’re ready to serve, just thaw them out and – voila! – instant deliciousness! They’re great at room temperature or straight from the freezer if you simply can’t wait!
FAQ About Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
Got questions about these Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars? Of course, you do! Here are some answers to the most common ones I get. And hey, if you’ve got more, just drop them in the comments!
Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?
Absolutely! Fresh cherries can be amazing! Just make sure to pit them and chop them into smaller pieces – about the same size as the dried ones. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on them. Using the right cherries can bring these up to par with even the best Italian Christmas cookies!
What exactly *is* speculoos spice?
Oooh, speculoos spice is like a warm hug for your taste buds! It’s a blend of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and sometimes cardamom or white pepper. You can usually find it at specialty spice stores or online. If you can’t find it, try mixing equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger – it won’t be *exactly* the same, but it’ll be close!
How long do these bars last, and how should I store them?
If you manage *not* to eat them all in one sitting (good luck with that!), these bars will last for up to 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re also fantastic frozen! Just wrap them well and they’ll be good for about a month. Thaw them out before serving or enjoy them straight from the freezer for a cool treat. Making treats like vegan Christmas cookies will require similar levels of preservation knowledge!
Can I use different kinds of chocolate?
Definitely! While I love the richness of dark chocolate with the speculoos and cherry, you can totally switch it up. Milk chocolate will make them sweeter, and white chocolate would add a creamy vanilla note. Get creative and use whatever you love! Just use the same amount (1 cup chopped) to keep the recipe balanced.
Nutritional Information for Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
Just a heads-up: nutritional info can vary *a lot* depending on the exact ingredients and brands you use, so this is just an estimate, not a guarantee!
Enjoy Your Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
Alright, my friend, it’s time to devour these Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars! I really hope you give this recipe a try – I just know you’re gonna love them as much as I do! And hey, if you make them, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think! Oh, and pretty please, rate the recipe and share it with your friends! You can check out other dessert recipes here, too! Happy baking!
Print
Speculoos Chocolate Cherry Bars
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These bars combine speculoos spice with chocolate and cherries for a festive treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons speculoos spice
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1 cup dried cherries, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Stir in speculoos spice.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in chopped chocolate and cherries.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For best results, use high-quality dark chocolate.
- You can substitute fresh cherries for dried, if desired.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg