If you’re yearning for a treat that brings color, nostalgia, and plenty of flair to the dessert table, Spumoni Bars are your new best friend. Inspired by classic Italian spumoni ice cream, these bars layer together a buttery crust with a luscious filling of cherries, pistachios, and chocolate chips, capturing all the charm of the old-fashioned gelato in a tidy, sliceable form. Every bite is chewy, creamy, nutty, and just a little bit magical—a must-bake for any gathering or family celebration!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Spumoni Bars are a joyful mash-up of just a few pantry staples and festive mix-ins, each one bringing something special to the finished bars. The buttery crust, creamy filling, and colorful toppings all come together for a genuinely memorable treat.

Unsalted Butter: Provides a rich, tender base for the crust—room temperature butter is a must for that light, fluffy blend.
Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the crust, balancing the more intense flavors in the filling.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the sturdy yet delicate foundation of your Spumoni Bars—be sure to measure carefully for the perfect texture.
Salt: A pinch of salt sharpens all the flavors and keeps the sweetness from being overwhelming.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: The star of the filling! It gives these bars their signature creamy, chewy bite.
Vanilla Extract: Lends warmth and depth to the filling, rounding out the flavors beautifully.
Almond Extract: That classic nutty aroma makes everything taste a little more like spumoni.
Chopped Maraschino Cherries: Sweet, colorful pops of cherry are not only pretty but offer a classic spumoni flavor.
Chopped Pistachios: Brings subtle saltiness, crunch, and a pop of green color—so iconic in Spumoni Bars.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds a touch of decadence—using mini chips ensures you get chocolate in every bite!
Optional Toppings: Extra chopped pistachios, mini chocolate chips, and cherries: Let you play up the colors and make each bar as festive as you’d like.

How to Make Spumoni Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. In a large bowl, cream together your butter and sugar until the mixture turns pale and fluffy—this creates that melt-in-your-mouth crust. Next, mix in the flour and salt until a crumbly dough forms. Press this evenly into your prepared pan, forming a firm base. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, just until the crust is set but not deeply browned.

Step 2: Mix up the Filling

While your crust is baking, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a medium bowl. This trio becomes your rich, creamy foundation. Now, gently fold in the maraschino cherries (make sure they’re thoroughly drained and patted dry), pistachios, and those adorable mini chocolate chips. Every spoonful should look vibrant and speckled—that’s when you know you’ve hit spumoni gold.

Step 3: Layer the Filling Over the Crust

Once your crust is out of the oven, pour the cherry-pistachio-chocolate mixture evenly over the warm base. Use a spatula to spread it to each corner, ensuring even coverage. For a bakery-worthy finish, sprinkle over some extra pistachios, chocolate chips, and a few whole cherries on top. It’s both beautiful and signals all the good stuff inside these Spumoni Bars.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan back into the oven and bake for another 20–25 minutes. You’re looking for a lightly golden edge and a center that’s set but still tender. The aroma will be sweet, nutty, and totally irresistible. Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely right in the pan—this helps everything firm up for perfect slices later on.

Step 5: Chill and Slice

Once cooled, transfer the pan to the fridge for at least 1 hour (longer if you want even neater pieces). When you’re ready to serve, lift out the slab using the parchment paper. For the cleanest cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it between slices—these bars are as pretty as they are tasty, and deserve to be shown off!

How to Serve Spumoni Bars

Garnishes

Make your Spumoni Bars pop by scattering a handful of chopped pistachios and a few halved maraschino cherries right on top before serving. For extra elegance, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate really sets the mood. These simple touches make a big visual impact, especially for festive parties.

Side Dishes

These bars are rich and flavorful all by themselves, but if you’re making a dessert spread, try adding a scoop of vanilla gelato or lemon sorbet on the side. A bowl of fresh berries can lend a refreshing contrast to the sweet, nutty decadence of the Spumoni Bars. For drinks, coffee, amaretto, or a splash of cold milk are always winners!

Creative Ways to Present

For a playful dessert board, slice Spumoni Bars into slim rectangles, arrange them on a platter, and tuck in fresh cherries and pistachios between the bars. For special occasions, stack the bars in a pyramid and add colored flags or edible gold for extra wow-factor. Individually wrapping each bar in parchment and ribbon also makes a wonderful edible gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Spumoni Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or keep them refrigerated for up to a week. Keeping them chilled preserves both the color and the chewiness of the filling, making them a great make-ahead dessert for busy weeks or parties.

Freezing

Spumoni Bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge or let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for a treat that tastes freshly baked.

Reheating

These bars are actually best served chilled, but if you’d like them just slightly warm, pop a bar in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. This will soften the chocolate and make the filling extra melty—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overheat!

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Fresh cherries can certainly be used if you prefer a less-sweet flavor and a slightly different texture. Be sure to pit, chop, and blot them dry very well to avoid adding excess moisture to the bars.

Are Spumoni Bars gluten-free?

As written, these bars are not gluten-free due to the use of all-purpose flour. However, you can try a gluten-free flour blend for baking—the texture might change a bit, but the classic flavors will still shine through.

How do I get perfectly neat slices?

The key to clean, pretty slices is to chill the bars thoroughly before cutting. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut for that bakery-perfect finish. This makes every serving as eye-catching as it is delicious.

Can I substitute other nuts for pistachios?

Absolutely! While pistachios are traditional for that classic spumoni color and flavor, chopped almonds or even walnuts can work in a pinch. Each nut will lend its own unique texture and taste.

What’s the best way to transport Spumoni Bars?

Transporting these bars is wonderfully easy. After chilling and slicing, stack them between layers of parchment paper in a sturdy container. They hold their shape well, even when traveling—perfect for potlucks, picnics, or holiday swaps.

Final Thoughts

There’s simply something joyful about sharing a plate of Spumoni Bars—their vibrant layers and nostalgic flavors turn any day into a special occasion. If you’re looking to impress, treat yourself, or just add a splash of color and fun to your baking, give these bars a try and watch how quickly they disappear!

Spumoni Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 8 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour (plus chilling)
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in these delightful Spumoni Bars that are a perfect blend of cherry, pistachio, and chocolate flavors. A buttery crust topped with a creamy, fruity filling makes these bars a must-have for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries (drained and patted dry)
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

For the topping (optional):

1/4 cup chopped pistachios
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
extra cherries for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Make the crust: Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the flour and salt, then press the dough into the pan and bake.
Prepare the filling: Whisk together the condensed milk, vanilla, and almond extract. Fold in the cherries, pistachios, and chocolate chips. Pour over the baked crust.
Add toppings and bake: Sprinkle with extra pistachios, chocolate chips, and cherries. Bake until set.
Cool and chill: Let cool, then chill before slicing into bars.