Chocolate Cherry Brownie Bars are a rich and indulgent dessert featuring fudgy brownies, sweet maraschino cherries, gooey marshmallows, and a decadent layer of melted chocolate. These bars are easy to make with a boxed brownie mix but taste like a bakery-quality treat. Perfect for potlucks, parties, or holiday trays, they offer a fun and flavorful twist on classic brownies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These brownie bars bring together a variety of textures and flavors in one bite—soft and chewy brownies, juicy cherries, pillowy marshmallows, and smooth melted chocolate. They’re quick to prepare with minimal ingredients, thanks to the convenience of a boxed mix, and can easily be customized. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert to whip up or something to satisfy a chocolate craving, these bars are sure to hit the mark.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 box brownie mix (plus required ingredients like eggs, oil, and water)
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup melted chocolate chips (for topping)
Directions
- Bake Brownies: Prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions. Pour into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan and bake as directed.
- Add Toppings: As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, sprinkle the chopped maraschino cherries evenly over the top, followed by the mini marshmallows.
- Drizzle Chocolate: Drizzle the melted chocolate chips over the top while the brownies are still warm to help everything set together.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the brownies to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, cut into bars and serve.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields approximately 24 bars.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 25–30 minutes (according to box)
Cooling time: 1 hour
Total time: About 1 hour 40 minutes
Variations
- Nuts: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for added crunch.
- Frosting Finish: Let the bars cool and top with cherry frosting instead of melted chocolate for a bakery-style finish.
- Extra Chocolate: Mix chocolate chips into the batter before baking for double chocolate flavor.
- Cherry Jam Swirl: Swirl in a tablespoon or two of cherry jam before baking for even more cherry flavor.
- Dark Chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips for a richer topping.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days for a firmer texture.
- Freezer: Freeze cut bars in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature.
- Reheating: Warm individual bars in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to soften slightly.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino?
Yes, but fresh cherries should be pitted and dried well to prevent excess moisture.
Will the marshmallows melt completely?
No, they’ll soften and become gooey, but they will hold their shape on top of the warm brownies.
Can I use homemade brownie batter?
Absolutely. A homemade brownie base works just as well if you prefer not to use a boxed mix.
Should I drain the maraschino cherries?
Yes, drain them well and pat dry to avoid adding extra liquid to the brownies.
Can I add the toppings before baking?
It’s best to add the cherries and marshmallows immediately after baking so they stay on top and don’t sink into the batter.
How do I melt the chocolate chips?
Melt them in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
What type of chocolate chips should I use?
Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are ideal, but milk chocolate will also work for a sweeter topping.
Can I add flavor extracts?
A drop of almond or cherry extract in the brownie batter or melted chocolate adds extra depth.
Are these bars sticky?
Yes, the marshmallows and cherries create a soft, slightly sticky topping. Letting the bars cool fully before cutting helps with clean slices.
What’s the best way to slice them cleanly?
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut. You may also chill the bars before cutting for neater slices.
Conclusion
Chocolate Cherry Brownie Bars are an effortless yet eye-catching dessert that delivers layers of flavor and texture. With gooey cherries, fluffy marshmallows, and rich chocolate atop a fudgy brownie base, these bars are sure to become a favorite at any event. Quick to make and even quicker to disappear, they’re a perfect go-to for both everyday indulgences and special occasions.
PrintChocolate Cherry Brownie Bars
Rich and fudgy brownie bars topped with maraschino cherries, gooey marshmallows, and a drizzle of melted chocolate. A quick and festive dessert with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including cooling)
- Yield: 20 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup melted chocolate chips (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Pour batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan.
- Bake brownies as directed on the box.
- Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle chopped maraschino cherries and mini marshmallows evenly over the warm brownies.
- Drizzle melted chocolate chips over the top.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting into bars and serving.
Notes
- Pat cherries dry before chopping to prevent excess moisture.
- Use a spoon or piping bag to drizzle chocolate for a cleaner finish.
- Chill slightly for easier cutting into neat bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg