Dark Chocolate Cherry Bar Food

CHOCOLATE CHIP CHERRY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
• In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, about 60 seconds.
• To the melted butter, add the brown sugar and stir to combine.
• Add the egg, vanilla, and stir to combine. Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined, taking care not to over mix or the blondies will be tough.
• Fold in chocolate chips, fruit (I don't halve the cherries: I like them chunky and big), and pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing it lightly with a spatula or offset knife if necessary.
• Bake for 27 to 32 minutes, or until edges begin to slightly pull away from sides of pan and center is set.**
• Allow bars to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving. Blondies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.

DARK CHOCOLATE-CHERRY GANACHE BARS

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder and fine sea salt. Pulse in the butter and vanilla until the mixture just comes together into a smooth mass. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment or wax paper. Press the dough into the pan. Prick all over with a fork. Chill for at least 20 minutes and up to 3 days.
• Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Bake the shortbread until firm to the touch and just beginning to pull away from the sides, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Cool in the pan for 20 minutes on a wire rack. Brush jam over shortbread's surface and let cool thoroughly.
• Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Pour over the chocolate and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the kirsch. Spread over shortbread. Sprinkle fleur de sel on. Cool to room temperature; cover and chill until firm. Slice and serve.

CHEWY CHOCOLATE-CHERRY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix cracker crumbs and butter. Press into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. In a large bowl, mix the remaining ingredients until blended; carefully spread over crust., Bake 25-28 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

DARK CHOCOLATE & CHERRY BAR

Steps:

• Line a 20cm square baking tin with a strip of baking parchment - leave an overhang as this will help lift everything out of the tin later. Scatter the amaretti biscuits over the base of the tin and set aside.
• Tip the chocolate into a heatproof bowl and pour the cream into a saucepan. Bring the cream to the boil, then pour it over the chocolate and stir until completely melted. Pour the mixture over the biscuits, then tap the tin to even out. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hrs (or up to 2 days ahead).
• While the chocolate is setting, drain the cherries over a small saucepan and set them aside. Simmer the juice from the tin for about 5 mins or until syrupy. This can be done a day ahead and both can be kept in the fridge.
• To serve, use the parchment handles to lift everything out of the tin on to a board and, using a sharp knife dipped in hot water, cut into six neat bars. Using a pastry brush, paint a thick stripe of the kirsch syrup across each plate, then sit a chocolate bar across the stripe at an opposing angle. Top each bar with a line of cherries and serve with extra syrup on the side.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°.
• Grease and flour 13x9-inch pan.
• In large bowl, combine cake mix, pie filling almond extract and eggs; stir until blended.
• Spread in greased and floured pan.
• Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• In small saucepan, combine sugar, milk and margarine.
• Bring to a boil; boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until smooth.
• Pour and spread over warm bars.
• Cool completely and cut into bars.