Today is one of the first of many guest posts to get us geared up for Valentine’s Day. It’s all about spreading the love, and I figured that there would be no better way than to have a few of my favorite bloggers help out. Each one is so sweet, full of delicious recipes to share and loads of fun to get to know. I know you all will just adore Kristy, and hopefully you’ll follow her site if you aren’t already…
Hello Sweet Basil readers! I’m Kristy and I blog over at Sweet Treats & More. I’ve been reading Carrian’s blog for a while now and we met in person a few months ago when I spotted her at the shopping outlets near my house (turns out we only live five minutes from each other). I instantly recognized her from her blog, approached her (which felt a little stalker-ish) and we carried on a conversation like we’d always been friends.
She’s one of the nicest, most genuine people I’ve met and has become someone I turn to for blog advice and tips. She’s seriously awesome and I love this beautiful blog she’s created!
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thought I’d make you something indulgent, loaded with chocolate, with a touch of red just for the special day. If you like cherry and you like chocolate, these babies are for you.
These Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars start with an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie base, are topped with a sweet cream cheese layer, cherry pie filling, coconut flakes, and more cookie dough on top. All baked into a very rich and indulgent bar. After all, Valentine’s Day is all about indulging right?
The easy way to make these is using store-bought cookie dough, but if that breaks some cardinal rule of baking you have, you can probably make it yourself. I’ve just been too lazy to try it. I’d just make sure you refrigerate the dough for about 12 hours before using.
Thanks for having me Carrian!
Is Coconut Good For You?
Coconut is loaded with vitamin B6, iron, and minerals like magnesium, zinc, copper,manganese, and selenium.
What Kind Of Cherries Are Used For Pies?
You can bake a pie with sweet cherries, but pies are what sour (or tart) cherries are made for.
Pie cherries, or sour cherries, are not nearly as sweet as the cherries you buy to eat.
Pie cherries or sour cherries are traditionally used for pie.
They create the familiar “tart” flavor in cherry pie.
Can Cookie Bars Be Frozen?
Cookie bars should be completely cooled before freezing.
Cut the bars into serving sizes, place in single layer on baking sheet and freeze.
Once the cookie bars are frozen, transfer them to a heavy duty freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Description
Cherry chocolate chip cookie bars are indulgent, loaded with chocolate, with a touch of red just for the special day. If you like cherry and you like chocolate, these babies are for you.
Ingredients
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- 16 oz. chocolate chip cookie dough, refrigerated, Pillsbury
- 3/4 cups oats
- 8 oz cream cheese, soft
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 21 oz. cherry pie filling
- 1/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a large bowl break up the refrigerated cookie dough with (clean hands).
- Knead in oats and mix until evenly incorporated.
- Press 2/3 of the dough into a lightly greased 8 X 8 inch square pan, reserving 1/3 of the dough.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the crust is just set.
- In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg and set aside.
- In another bowl the beat cream cheese until smooth with no lumps.
- Beat in sugar, then stir in vanilla and egg.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the top of the cookie crust.
- Pour cherry pie filling evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Evenly sprinkle the remaining cookie dough over the top, then top with shredded coconut.
- Bake for another 20-25 minutes until set or lightly golden.
- Let cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Notes
slightly adapted from Allrecipes
Store in a covered container in the refrigerator
Nutrition
Calories: 454kcal
Recommended Products
Heide M.
I’ll have to try this.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
These bars looks amazing, Carrian!
a farmer in the dell
these are stunning! I want to sink my teeth right in!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen
Gorgeous color! And I like how ‘loaded’ they are….
Sweet Basil
Seriously! Loaded is always a good thing.
Kristy
Thanks for having me Carrian!! Can’t wait to see more Valentine sweets:)
Carla @ Carlas Confections
I just love the colors in them! So beautiful!!
Cookin’ Canuck
Oh my goodness! Those bars looks so good, and the colors make them perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Katie
These sound amazing! They look gorgeous too!
Sweet Basil
As does your Biscoff Fondue. GOOD MERCY!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
How pretty are these?? I love them!
Maria Tadic
These look so yummy. I love that they’re not entirely chocolate! The cherries seem to add a nice tartness to them. Plus – I love the red! Very v-day-ish!