Cherry Garcia Bars

It has been a really good year for fresh cherries this year.  I have found and tried some really good recipes using them.  If you like fresh cherries, then pick some up before they are gone.

This recipe is inspired by the Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice cream.  If you love that nice blend of cherries, chocolate and cream you will love this recipe. 

We are going to start with the shortbread crust.

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) of butter. Melt the butter.

2/3 cup sugar

Let the melted butter cool just a little bit.

Add the sugar.

The recipe calls for the caviar from half of a vanilla bean.  I have the vanilla paste. I used 1 teaspoon.

2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour.  The recipe calls for 1/8 teaspoon salt but I had salted butter and did not add the additional salt.

The dough is going to be stiff.

Place it in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  Press it out in the pan.

Just keep pushing until it is covered on the bottom.  Place in a preheated 375 oven for 17-19 minutes.  Watch it because I think I baked mine too much.

Now for the filling.

Melt 1 cup butter

The crust is done.  Let cool.

1/3 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon vanilla paste

It is looking good.

Mix all together.

Add the melted butter

Mix well.

4 cups cherries halved and pitted.  Use that cherry pitter to make it easier.

Toss the cherries with a spoonful of flour.

Toss them well.

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate pieces.  I had chips, but you can use baking chocolate.

Now put the cherries on top.

Pour the filling on top.  Place in the 375 oven and bake for 28-32 minutes.

Cool for about 15 minutes before cutting.

Cherry Garcia Bars Recipe

Shortbread crust
3/4 cup butter melted
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
Bake in a 375 preheated oven for 17-19 minutes.

Filling
1 cup butter
3 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
4 cups cherries
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate pieces
1 Tablespoon flour

Bake in 375 oven for 28-32 minutes.