*I combined about 12 Tillen Farms natural Maraschino cherries, quartered, with about 20 homemade Maraschino Cherries soaked in Luxardo liqueur (click here), halved. It made for a great flavor combination as each of the cherries is quite different.
Cherry Bars
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Peggy says
Mmmm, these cherry bars sound and look fantastic!
christine says
I just discovered your blog a couple of days ago, and I absolutely love it. I love the layout, your writing style, the clicks, and the concept. Just wanted to give some praise. The cherry bars look great, too. Good tip on the Tillen Farms cherries – I'll definitely remember that. Cheers!
Boulder Locavore says
Christine what a generous comment, thank you. I am so glad you found me and hope you'll keep reading. Do check out the Tillen Farms cherries. They are delicious but without the less desireable aspects if dye in food is unappealling for you.
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen says
Love the history behind the bars and I'm so intrigued by the old cookbook. Treasures!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you Valerie, I am as well. I feel honored to make the recipes these woman have and share them now.
Eliotseats says
Thanks for another great heirloom recipe. I covet your scrapbook.
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you! No need to covet; that's why I'm sharing the recipes so we can all enjoy them!
The Cozy Herbivore says
I am totally loving cherries right now, and how perfect are these for the Presidential holiday? What a great recipe!
And your polka-dotted knife is just too cute as well!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you! I always think of cherries due to President's Day too. If you did not see it, check out the Cherry Pie I posted on President's Day. If you lover cherries, you'll be mad for this pie. I too love the little knife!
All That I'm Eating says
These look so good Toni, I've never seen maraschino cherries anywhere, I'll need to keep my eyes peeled! Also, I've given you the Liebster blog award.
Boulder Locavore says
I am sure they have Maraschino cherries in the UK. They typically are in cocktails. They have a distinct flavor that makes these bars really unique!
Jay @ LocalFood.me says
Gorgeous! I love that the recipe uses Maraschino cherries. And thanks for pointing out the Whole Foods option. First time I was in DC I spent an entire day weaving through the Smithsonian offerings. Perfect!
Boulder Locavore says
DC is such a great place and really so compact. Do try the Tillen Farms Maraschino Cherries. They really are identical in flavor to traditional maraschinos but I personally feel alot better about the ingredients!
Claudia says
I crave cherries every February 22nd (I am that old to remember two President Days and loving February because of it). And hate to wait for cherry season… maybe dried cherries… really good dried cherries?
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Claudia. Glad I'm not the only one with the Pavolvian relationship between cherries and President's Day! Another reader wondered about dried cherries. I'd try them. If they are really hard-dry maybe reconstitute them with some juice a bit first. Do let me know if you make them how it works!
Carolyn says
Love the connection here, with the story of Washington and his hatchet, and your lovely cherry bars!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you Carolyn!
Katrina {In Katrina's Kitchen} says
So now I have a very distinct need to own a pink knife- with polka dots for sure!! ♥
Boulder Locavore says
It is a happy little knife, I agree.
authorjaneward says
I found some good quality maraschinos the other day so I must pick them up for this recipe. BTW, I wanted you to know I nominated you for 2 blogging awards in my latest post, if you want to check it out. My way of saying thanks for all the great reading over the past year or so!
Boulder Locavore says
Jane I'm so honored by what you wrote on your blog. Really touched; thank you!
Kristina says
I love your president's day inspiration! These sound delicious, I want to try to make my own maraschino cherries, I've never even thought to that, yum!
Boulder Locavore says
I hope you will make your maraschino cherries! They do taste different than those you'd buy in a more adult way!
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour says
Cherry dessert are definitely one of my favorites. When we spend our couple weeks each summer up in northern Michigan at the lake, I'm always trying to find new ways to enjoy the amazing Michigan cherries. Perhaps I can twist this recipe up and use fresh cherries instead of Marachino cherries? I think I'll try!!
Boulder Locavore says
You know Lisa I'm all about changing things up. I would absolutely try them. With your culinary prowess I'm sure they'll be delish!
Chef Connie says
What a delightful post. I wonder if you could use those wonderful frozen organic cherries at Costco? I love the way you tied in DC, Washington, Cherry Trees and the holiday. Good Job. I will need to try these.
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you Connie! I think you should try the frozen cherries (thawed of course). The main flavor in the batter is the cherries so I think changing and adding the cherries you mention would just shift the flavor more toward a traditional cherry from the maraschino. Let me know how it works if you do it!
Otehlia says
Oh, these look so good and chewy! We have great cherries here in the summer, too. I will try it with those, I think. Do you think it would work with dried cherries?
Boulder Locavore says
I would try dried cherries, absolutely! I might reconstitute them a bit if they are really dried. I've had some dried cherries that still are fairly plump and easy to chew, and others that are almost filling-extracting! If the latter a brief soak, especially in cherry juice would be great I'd think.
Ann says
These bars look delicious! I lived about 90 minutes from DC and it's a terrific town! These cherry bars are stunning and I am SO in love with that cookbook! Happy Valentines Day!
Boulder Locavore says
So you understand the charm about DC! Such a great place. Hope you'll make the bars too. I feel sure you'll love them. They are unlike any other bar I've had.
Kiri W. says
Looks lovely! 🙂 Cherries are such a lovely thing.
Boulder Locavore says
I agree about cherries, Kiri. Especially at this time of year!
Grubarazzi says
Really lovely! I just love these.
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you! So glad you like them.
Magic of Spice says
I adore cherry treats and these look delightful!
Happy Valentines Day!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you! I hope that you'll make them AND that you too had a great Valentine's Day!
Steph says
Oh wow!! These look heavenly!!
Boulder Locavore says
They are delicious and unlike other bars I've had in their flavor.
Mary Ellen @ Pâte à Chew says
This is great, I'm from Northern Virginia so I appreciate the post 🙂 And, I love ANYTHING with cherries, so this is a winner!
Boulder Locavore says
I feel I have a kindred spirit! You would certainly appreciate this being from Northern VA. Hope you'll make the bars!
[email protected] German Kitchen...in the Rockies says
Happy Valentine's Day, Toni. I bet I could also use my organic frozen cherries in this recipe. I know my family would love this cake.
D.C. is always worth a trip. We went as a family a few years ago and everybody enjoyed it.
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Kirsten. I thought about using my cherries as well but decided to make it as the original recipe indicated (with a few tweaks). One thing about the maraschino cherries is that they have a stronger and more distinct flavor that stands up to the rest of the ingredients I think. Agree; love Washington DC. Was very fortunate to live there when I did.
Beach House Living says
Delightful!
Happy Valentines to you an yours.
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you and Happy Valentine's Day to you!