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Cherry Crumb Cream Cheese Bars and Candy Bar Blondies

Cherry Crumb Cream Cheese Bars and Candy Bar Blondies

Get ready to experience a dessert that will make your taste buds dance with pure delight! These aren't just ordinary bars - they're a decadent symphony of creamy, sweet, and crunchy flavors that will transform your ordinary baking routine into an extraordinary culinary adventure. Imagine sinking your teeth into a luscious blend of cream cheese, vibrant cherry pie filling, and chunks of your favorite candy bars, all nestled in a buttery, golden blondie base. This recipe is about to become your new obsession - a dessert so irresistible, it'll have everyone begging for seconds!

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 32 servings

Ingredients

  1. 1 cup butter, softened
  2. 2 cups granulated sugar
  3. 4 eggs
  4. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  5. 3 cups all-purpose flour
  6. 1 teaspoon baking powder
  7. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  8. 1 package cream cheese
  9. 1 cup cherry pie filling
  10. 1 cup candy bars, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan thoroughly with butter or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer. This should take approximately 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to create a uniform dry mixture.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
  6. Spread approximately two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating a smooth base layer.
  7. In another bowl, soften the cream cheese and spread it carefully over the base layer, creating an even cream cheese layer.
  8. Spoon cherry pie filling over the cream cheese layer, distributing it as evenly as possible.
  9. Sprinkle chopped candy bars across the cherry and cream cheese layers.
  10. Drop remaining batter in small dollops across the top, creating a rustic, marbled appearance.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  12. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars.
  13. Cut into 32 equal squares, ensuring each bar has a mix of cream cheese, cherry, and candy bar elements.
  14. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow bars to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Tips

  1. Room Temperature Matters: Ensure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
  2. Don't Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated to keep your bars tender and light.
  3. Choose Your Candy Wisely: Select candy bars that complement the cherry flavor - chocolate-based bars like Snickers or Milky Way work wonderfully.
  4. Check for Doneness: Use the toothpick test - it should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
  5. Cooling is Crucial: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat slices.
  6. Storage Hack: These bars actually taste even better the next day after the flavors have melded together!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 280kcal

Carbohydrates: 35g

Protein: 4g

Fat: 14g

Saturated Fat: 8g

Cholesterol: 55mg

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