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Single Swiss Treat cookie bar showing its chewy texture with chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts.

Chewy Vintage Cherry Coconut Cookie Bars (Swiss Treats from Scratch)

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A chewy, nostalgic cookie bar recipe passed down from my great-grandmother. These Swiss Treats combine maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and a buttery vanilla base into a festive old-fashioned bar. I make mine with pistachios and a blend of white and milk chocolate chips for a modern holiday twist.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Bars, Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 208
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter or oleo softened
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts original recipe; I used pistachios
  • 1/2 cup maraschino cherries chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 6 oz chocolate chips original recipe; I used a mix of white & milk chocolate chips

Equipment

Mixing Bowls
1 Mixing Bowls
Hand Mixer
1 Hand Mixer
Measuring Cups and Spoons
1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
Baking Pan
1 Baking Pan 15×11-inch
Spatula
1 Spatula
Wire Rack
1 Wire Rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat & Prep Pan
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 15×11-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Cream Butter & Sugar
    In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
  3. Add Egg & Vanilla
    Mix in the beaten egg and vanilla until fully incorporated.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients
    In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet mixture and stir until a thick dough forms.
  5. Fold in Mix-ins
    Gently fold in:
    Chopped nuts
    Maraschino cherries
    Shredded coconut
    Chocolate chips
    Be sure the cherries are patted dry to avoid excess moisture.
  6. Spread & Bake
    Spread the dough evenly in your prepared baking pan using a spatula. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden and set.
  7. Cool & Slice
    Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into 24 bars. Don’t slice while warm—they’ll be too soft.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 126mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 249IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

  • Family Origin: The original recipe simply listed “chopped nuts” and “chocolate chips” without amounts. Today, we use pistachios and a mix of white and milk chocolate chips for better flavor.
  • Don’t Skip the Cooling: Letting the bars fully cool in the pan is key to clean slicing and the chewy texture.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months.

Tried this recipe?

Mention or tag @bakedlean!