Fruity Shirley Temple Bars
Fruity Shirley Temple Bars are soft cherry-lime dessert bars made with maraschino cherries, butter, lime zest, and pink grenadine cream cheese frosting.
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Servings: 12
Ingredients
Bars
- 3/4 cup maraschino cherries chopped and well drained
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp lime zest
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup butter room temperature
- 3 tbsp grenadine syrup
- 1 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
- Set the prepared pan aside.
- Place the room-temperature butter, granulated sugar, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
- Beat the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract.
- Add the lime zest.
- Mix until the vanilla and lime zest are evenly incorporated.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Sift or whisk the dry ingredients until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Add the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Do not overmix the batter.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan.
- Spread the batter evenly into the pan with a spatula.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the pan from the oven.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
- To prepare the frosting, place the softened cream cheese and room-temperature butter in a large mixing bowl.
- Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Add the grenadine syrup.
- Add the maraschino cherry juice.
- Add 1 cup of powdered sugar.
- Beat until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Add up to 1/2 cup additional powdered sugar, if a thicker frosting is desired.
- Refrigerate the frosting until ready to use, if necessary.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the fully cooled bars.
- Chill the frosted bars until ready to serve.
- Slice into 12 bars.
- Serve chilled or slightly softened.
Notes
To make these Fruity Shirley Temple Bars gluten free, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that contains xanthan gum.
Confirm that the maraschino cherries, maraschino cherry juice, grenadine syrup, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt are labeled gluten free.
Use gluten-free certified butter and cream cheese, especially if preparing the dessert for someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Prepare the bars in a clean baking pan with clean mixing bowls, measuring tools, spatulas, and utensils to prevent gluten cross-contact.
If using parchment paper, confirm it has not been exposed to gluten-containing ingredients during storage or preparation.
Gluten-free bars may be slightly more delicate, so allow them to cool completely before frosting and slicing.