Spumoni Bars Recipe
If you’re craving a dessert that’s as fun and festive as it is delicious, Spumoni Bars are your new go-to treat! These bars channel all the classic flavors of the beloved Italian-American ice cream: pistachios, cherries, and chocolate, all nestled in a buttery shortbread crust. Each bite bursts with color, texture, and nostalgia, making Spumoni Bars the ultimate sweet for holidays, potlucks, or just brightening up a regular weeknight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Spumoni Bars truly special is how a handful of simple ingredients can create something completely unforgettable. Each component brings a unique flavor or color to the mix, resulting in bars that are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): The rich base for your shortbread crust, giving each bar a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Powdered Sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens the crust while keeping it delightfully tender and smooth.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The structure behind your bars, making sure each square holds its shape after slicing.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Adds depth and sharpens all the sweet and nutty flavors.
- Maraschino Cherries (1/2 cup, chopped and patted dry): Little pops of color and sweet-tart flavor—make sure they’re dry to keep your bars just right.
- Pistachios (1/2 cup, shelled and chopped): For nutty crunch and that gorgeous green hue you expect from anything spumoni-inspired.
- Mini Chocolate Chips (1/2 cup): A touch of creamy, melty chocolate sweetness in every bite.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (1 can, 14 oz): Binds everything into a luscious, rich filling that’s impossible to resist.
- Almond Extract (1/2 teaspoon): The secret to giving the filling its unmistakable spumoni aroma.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (1/2 cup, melted; optional): If you love an extra chocolatey finish, this drizzle makes your bars even more decadent.
- Extra Chopped Pistachios or Cherries (for garnish): For that final festive touch—it’s as pretty as it is tasty!
How to Make Spumoni Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure there’s a little overhang on the sides (this trick will make it super easy to lift out the bars when you’re done). Set this aside while you get started on the crust.
Step 2: Make the Buttery Shortbread Crust
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Sprinkle in the flour and salt, then mix until a crumbly dough forms. Don’t worry if it seems a bit dry at first—it’ll press together perfectly. Scoop the dough into your prepared pan and press it into an even layer using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, just until the crust is lightly golden.
Step 3: Mix Up the Spumoni Filling
While your crust is baking, grab a medium bowl for the filling. Stir together the sweetened condensed milk and almond extract until smooth. Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries (make sure they’re really dry!), pistachios, and mini chocolate chips. The colors alone will make you smile—it’s like a confetti mix ready to party.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Remove the crust from the oven, then carefully spread your spumoni filling over the hot crust, smoothing it to the edges. Pop the pan back in the oven and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes. The edges should look set and lightly browned, and the whole kitchen will smell seriously amazing.
Step 5: Cool, Top, and Slice
Let your Spumoni Bars cool completely in the pan, which allows the filling to set. If you’re going for the extra delish route, drizzle melted semi-sweet chocolate over the cooled bars and sprinkle with additional pistachios or cherry bits. Chill the pan for easier cutting, then use the parchment handles to lift the slab out and slice into neat squares. Now dig in!
How to Serve Spumoni Bars
Garnishes
These bars are already eye-catching, but a little extra flourish never hurts. Try a drizzle of melted chocolate, a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, or an artful scattering of maraschino cherry bits right before serving—you’ll have a dessert tray that looks as good as anything from a fancy bakery.
Side Dishes
Spumoni Bars shine all on their own, but they pair beautifully with a cup of espresso, a scoop of vanilla gelato, or even a frothy cappuccino. If you’re serving them at a party, try alongside a platter of fresh fruit for a little tartness to balance the rich, nutty sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn dessert into an event! Stack your Spumoni Bars on a tiered cake stand, tuck them into colorful cupcake liners for grab-and-go treats, or wrap individual squares in cellophane with a cute ribbon to give as edible gifts. For parties, arrange in alternating rows with other Italian treats like cannoli or biscotti for a vibrant dessert buffet.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Spumoni Bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors actually meld and deepen as they sit, so don’t hesitate to make them a little in advance of your special event.
Freezing
Want to plan even further ahead? These bars freeze beautifully! Arrange them in a single layer (or between sheets of parchment) in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temp before serving, and they’ll taste just as wonderful as the day you baked them.
Reheating
While you don’t need to reheat Spumoni Bars to enjoy them, if you’d like to take the chill off (or make the chocolate a little gooey), simply microwave a square for about 10 seconds. This wakes up the flavors while keeping the bar’s texture perfectly intact.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Absolutely! Just make sure to pit and chop fresh cherries, and be extra thorough in patting them dry to avoid adding extra moisture to the filling. The flavor will be a bit more tart and less sweet, but still delicious.
Are there gluten-free options for the shortbread crust?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. The bars may be a touch more crumbly, but the flavors will be spot-on and every bit as satisfying.
What’s the best way to cut Spumoni Bars cleanly?
For beautiful, bakery-worthy cuts, chill the bars well before slicing. Use a sharp, large knife, and wipe the blade clean between cuts to keep each piece looking pristine and colorful.
Can I leave out the pistachios or swap with another nut?
If pistachios aren’t your thing or you have a nut allergy to consider, try swapping in chopped almonds or leaving out nuts altogether. The bars will still have plenty of flavor and great texture.
How do I keep the crust from sticking to the pan?
That parchment sling is your friend! Lining the pan and leaving an overhang lets you lift out the whole slab easily. A light spritz of nonstick spray underneath the parchment is extra insurance.
Final Thoughts
If you want a dessert that truly stands out in both flavor and flair, Spumoni Bars are the sweet treat you need in your life. Every layer brings something joyful—crunch, chew, and a riot of color that makes every bite a celebration. Try them at your next gathering or just because; I promise you’ll fall in love with this playful spin on a classic!
Print
Spumoni Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour (plus cooling)
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Spumoni Bars, a layered dessert treat that combines the richness of chocolate with the sweetness of cherries and the nuttiness of pistachios. These bars are perfect for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to everyday sweet cravings.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped and patted dry
- 1/2 cup pistachios, shelled and chopped
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
For the topping (optional):
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
- Extra chopped pistachios or cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- Prepare crust: Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Add flour and salt to form a dough. Press into pan and bake until golden.
- Make filling: Mix condensed milk with almond extract, then fold in cherries, pistachios, and chocolate chips. Spread over crust and bake until set.
- Finish: Cool, drizzle with melted chocolate, garnish, chill, and cut into bars.
Notes
- Ensure cherries are well-drained to prevent excess moisture.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container or frozen for later enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
