Cherry Coconut Bars

Total Time
Prep: 15 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling

Updated on Apr. 22, 2022

I came across these easy maraschino cherry bars while stationed at a Michigan Air Force base in 1964 and have been making the recipe ever since. My children don't think an event is special unless they are part of it. —Marguerite Emery, Orland, California


Test Kitchen Tips
  • Crack eggs one at a time into a separate small cup or bowl before adding them to the rest of your ingredients. That saves you from accidentally adding bad eggs to a batter, spoiling all your ingredients. It also makes it easier to fish out a shell if any does fall in.
  • Cutting butter into dry ingredients results in tiny bits of flour-coated butter throughout the dough, creating a cookie crust that is both tender and crumbly at the same time. If you don’t have a pastry blender, use 2 knives to cut in the cold butter.
  • Can't resist a taste before the party begins? Cut the bars and arrange them on a plate. Your guests will never guess there's a piece missing.
  • Hungry for more? Try our best-ever cherry desserts.
  • Test Kitchen Approved

    Cherry Coconut Bars

    Yield: 3 dozen
    Prep: 15 min
    Cook: 30 min

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
    • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
    • filling:
      • 2 large eggs, room temperature
      • 1 cup sugar
      • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
      • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
      • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
      • 1/4 teaspoon salt
      • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
      • 1/2 cup quartered maraschino cherries
      • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

    Directions

    1. In a small bowl, combine flour and confectioners' sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Press into a lightly greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.
    2. For filling, in a small bowl, combine the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to the egg mixture and mix well. Stir in walnuts, cherries and coconut. Spread over crust. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until firm. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
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