Chocolate Cherry Magic Bars
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serves: 15 bars
 
6 layers of deliciousness make up these Chocolate Cherry Magic Bars. If you love coconut, cherries and chocolate, this simple dessert is for you!
Ingredients
  • 1¾ cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, melted
  • 2½ cups shredded coconut (sweetened)
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1½ cups Smuckers Natural Red Tart Cherry Fruit Spread*
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1½ cups dark chocolate chips
  • ⅓ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a small bowl.
  3. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.
  4. Spread the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the baking pan, pressing down to make a compact crust.
  5. Sprinkle with coconut.
  6. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the coconut.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until lightly browned.
  8. Allow the baked bars to cool to room temperature.
  9. Gently spread the cherry fruit spread overtop the coconut layer.**
  10. In a small bowl, heat the heavy cream for 30 seconds in the microwave.
  11. Place the chocolate chips in a medium-size bowl.
  12. Pour the heated heavy cream overtop the chocolate chips, cover the bowl and allow it to sit for 3 minutes.
  13. Stir the chocolate and cream mixture. If the chocolate is not completely melted, heat it in the microwave in 10 second intervals***, stirring between each time, continuing until the chocolate is completely smooth.
  14. Pour or spoon this melted chocolate overtop the cherry jam, smoothing with the back of a spoon until it completely covers the top.
  15. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the chocolate, if desired.
  16. Place the pan in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to completely set.
  17. Cut into 15 or 20 bars, as desired.
  18. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
*This is my favorite cherry jam. Feel free to use homemade or your favorite brand.
**To make the jam easier to spread, warm it for 10-20 seconds in the microwave and stir, then spread.
***Be sure to take your time melting the chocolate. Use just 10 second intervals and stir well between each time. If the chocolate gets too hot, it will harden, so be sure to take your time!
Recipe by Simple as That at https://simpleasthatblog.com/chocolate-cherry-magic-bars/