Chocolate-Cherry Sheet Pan Cookie Bars
Thick chocolate chip cookie bars studded with tart dried cherries baked on a sheet pan for easy slicing and sharing. This desserts ready in about 45 minutes layers (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup, packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup dried tart cherries
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 3: Beat in 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined and smooth.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Step 6: Fold in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 3/4 cup dried tart cherries evenly throughout the dough.
- Step 7: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared sheet pan, pressing gently to smooth the surface.
- Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Step 9: Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into bars.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chocolate-Cherry Sheet Pan Cookie Bars take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Chocolate-Cherry Sheet Pan Cookie Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chocolate-Cherry Sheet Pan Cookie Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chocolate-Cherry Sheet Pan Cookie Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chocolate-Cherry Sheet Pan Cookie Bars?
Desserts desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
