Description

Chocolate Covered Cherry Magic Bars are a decadent, fudgy dessert featuring a rich chocolate base topped with sweet maraschino cherries, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. These layered bars bake to perfection with a slightly gooey center and a luscious, chocolaty finish—a perfect treat for any chocolate cherry lover.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour, scooped and leveled
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Wet Ingredients & Chocolate

1 stick butter (8 tablespoons)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs, room temperature

Toppings

10 oz jar of maraschino cherries, drained and cut in half
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)

Instructions

Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper with cooking spray or butter.
Make the Chocolate Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder until well combined. Melt the butter and 1/4 cup chocolate chips together in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth. Allow to cool slightly, then whisk in the vanilla and eggs until fully incorporated.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick and fudgy. Spread this mixture evenly into your prepared baking pan, pressing it down gently to create an even layer.
Add the Cherry Layer: Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut each cherry in half and distribute them evenly over the chocolate base, pressing them lightly into the batter.
Create the Magic Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the cherries. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the entire surface, making sure to cover as much area as possible for even distribution during baking.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly but not wet. The top should look golden and the chocolate chips should be melted and bubbly.
Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting. This is crucial for clean cuts and proper setting of the layers. For best results, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

When measuring flour, use the scoop and level method rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup to avoid dense bars.
Drain the maraschino cherries thoroughly and pat them dry to prevent excess moisture from making the bars soggy.
Use a sharp knife wiped clean between each cut for the cleanest slices, and chill the bars for easier cutting.
Reduce the sugar in the base by 1/4 cup if you prefer less sweet bars, though this will slightly affect texture.
Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily, so take them out about 30 minutes before baking.
When melting butter and chocolate chips, do so gently to avoid overheating and seizing the chocolate.
Refrigerate bars for at least 2 hours after baking to ensure proper setting and easier slicing.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate bars, magic bars, cherry chocolate recipe, chocolate cherry dessert, layered bars, sweet treats