Description
These decadent Valentine’s Black Forest Dream Bars combine the rich flavors of chocolate, cherries, and cream in a perfectly layered dessert. A crunchy chocolate base, topped with a creamy filling and sweet cherry topping, makes these bars a perfect treat for a romantic occasion like Valentine’s Day. Easy to make and impossible to resist, these bars are the ideal sweet treat to show your love!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs (or graham cracker crumbs)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- For the filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for whipped cream)
- For the topping:
- 1 1/2 cups canned cherry pie filling (or fresh sweetened cherries)
- 1 tablespoon chocolate shavings or chocolate chips (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the crust:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate wafer crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish to form a firm crust.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
- Make the filling:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with the 1/4 cup powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the bars:
- Once the crust has cooled, spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the crust layer.
- Top with a generous layer of cherry pie filling (or fresh cherries).
- Optional: Garnish with chocolate shavings or chocolate chips on top.
- Chill and serve:
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 3-4 hours or overnight to allow the layers to set.
- Once chilled, cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of cherry liqueur or almond extract to the cream cheese filling.
- You can also use fresh whipped cream instead of canned cherry pie filling for a fresher topping.
- These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for the crust)
- Category: Dessert, Valentine’s Day Treats
- Method: Baking, No-bake
- Cuisine: American, Dessert