Thanks to my dad, I grew up loving the combination of chocolate and cherries. He got me addicted to "Big Cherry" candy early on, so when I found this recipe after a neighbor delivered some at Christmas, I knew I had found a keeper! The bottom layer of these bars is like a cherry fudge. Cherry fudge people!! The top is milk chocolate and peanut butter with chopped peanuts stirred in. The combination of the two is phenomenal. Out of all the candy we make at the holidays, this is MY favorite. Cherry Bing Bars are a Christmas treat you don't want to pass up!
Cherry Bing Bars
Makes 9x13 pan
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup butter
1 (11 oz.) bag cherry chips (I get these on Amazon)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (11.5 oz.) bag milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup salted peanuts, chopped
Combine sugar, milk, marshmallows, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes, continually stirring. Remove from the heat and add cherry chips and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13" pan. Let cool. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Add the peanut butter and stir until smooth. Stir in the chopped peanuts. Spread the chocolate/peanut mixture over the set cherry base. Chill until set. Slice like fudge.
Step-by-step tutorial:
Gather your ingredients. You will need sugar, evaporated milk, marshmallows, butter, cherry chips, vanilla, milk chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and salted peanuts. Cherry chips aren't just in any store. I usually have to get mine on Amazon, but it's worth the extra buy for these treats!
In a large saucepan, combine the 2 cups sugar, 2/3 cup evaporated milk, 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows, and 1/2 cup butter (1 stick). Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes while stirring.
Remove from the heat and add the bag of cherry chips.
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir until smooth.
Pour the cherry mixture into a 9x13" baking dish that has been lightly greased.
Smooth the top and allow to cool.
Meanwhile, in a glass measuring cup, melt one bag of milk chocolate chips in the microwave. Cook on high in 30 second intervals, stirring between each until melted.
To the melted chocolate, add 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter, and 1 cup chopped peanuts.
Stir to combine. Yes, this will be an awesome spatula to lick later.
Pour the chocolate layer onto the cherry layer and spread evenly. Refrigerate for a few hours to set.
Cut into squares like you would fudge. I like to keep it refrigerated because it's so yummy cold, but you can keep a plate out at room temperature to munch on.
These little squares of goodness are the perfect Christmas treat to share. Chocolate and cherries are a combo that make Christmas even more special!
Recipe Source: Recipe adapted from the back of a bag of cherry chips
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