Go Back
–+ servings

Cherry Filled White Chocolate Blondies

These yummy treats make it onto our holiday baking list every year! They're dense and rich with the perfect balance of light sweetness from the white chocolate and coconut flakes and bright fruitiness from the cherry filling. And they're pretty to look at, too!
The original recipe comes from Southern Living, though it does not appear on their site.
Image credit: Mel's Kitchen Cafe.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 16 bars
Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 12 oz. package white chocolate chips, divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. almond extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup cherry preserves like Bon Maman
  • 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Instructions
 

  • Grease and flour an 8- or 9-inch square pan and set aside. (You can also spray it with a non-stick spray that includes flour, like Pam Baking Spray.)
  • In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter, stirring just until melted. Remove the pan from heat, and add 1 cup of the white chocolate chips. (Do not stir).
  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs at high speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes or until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating until blended. Stir in the white chocolate mixture and almond extract until blended. Add the flour and salt, stirring just until blended. Spread half of the batter in the prepared pan.
  • Bake at 325℉ for 20 minutes or until light golden brown, then remove from oven.
  • Melt the cherry preserves in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Spread evenly over the partially baked blondies in the pan. Stir together the coconut, remaining white chocolate chips, and remaining batter. The mixture may be stiff, which is fine. Dollop over melted cherry preserves and gently spread to edges of pan (see Note).
  • Sprinkle the sliced almonds over the batter, gently pressing them in.
  • Bake at 325℉ for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then cut into bars.

Notes

  • Use the highest quality ingredients possible for these bars - it makes a difference! We use Nestle Premier White Morsels or Ghirardelli Classic White Premium Baking Chips, Bon Maman or Trappist cherry preserves, and Baker's sweetened coconut flakes.
  • You can use an 8- or 9-inch pan, though the baking times assume an 8-inch pan. If you go with a 9-inch pan, you may need to reduce the baking time.
  • Feel free to substitute different preserves for the filling. Apricot, raspberry, and strawberry are all wonderful, too.
  • The second layer of batter (mixed with the chips and coconut) will probably be on the stiff side and may not easily spread over the cherry filling. Dollop the batter all over the filling, then use an offset spatula or butter knife to  "connect the dots." Don't worry if they're not completely connected and don't fully reach the edges, they'll spread once in the oven.
  • These bars taste best when cooled completely, so be patient! They also need that cooling time to set up so they hold together nicely when you go to pick them up.
Nutrition Facts
Cherry Filled White Chocolate Blondies
Amount per Serving
Calories
285
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
15
g
23
%
Saturated Fat
 
9
g
56
%
Trans Fat
 
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Cholesterol
 
40
mg
13
%
Sodium
 
99
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
118
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
34
g
11
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
25
g
28
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
213
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
59
mg
6
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.