If you’re a fan of the classic spumoni ice cream, then you’re going to love these Spumoni Bars. This fun and easy twist layers rich chocolate, pistachio, and cherry flavors into a delicious dessert bar. Perfect for any occasion, these bars offer the creamy, nostalgic taste of spumoni in a convenient, easy-to-serve form. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a treat that everyone will be talking about!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it combines three indulgent flavors—chocolate, pistachio, and cherry—into a single, mouthwatering treat. The layers are creamy, rich, and incredibly satisfying, and the crunchy graham cracker crust provides the perfect base. Plus, this dessert is a great make-ahead option, as the layers need to set in the fridge, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the company of your guests. Whether I’m making these for a family gathering or a fun get-together, Spumoni Bars are always a hit!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar
½ cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Layers: Chocolate Layer:
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
One cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pistachio Layer:
1 ½ cups pistachio pudding mix (instant)
2 cups heavy cream
½ cup milk
Cherry Layer:
1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Make the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully combined. Press this mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish to form a firm crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool while preparing the layers.
Chocolate Layer:
In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Remove it from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips until smooth and fully melted. Add the vanilla extract and mix well. Pour this chocolate mixture over the cooled crust, spreading it into an even layer. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
Pistachio Layer:
In a mixing bowl, combine the pistachio pudding mix, heavy cream, and milk. Whisk until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy. Once the chocolate layer is set, spread the pistachio mixture evenly over it. Refrigerate for another 30 minutes to allow the pistachio layer to set.
Cherry Layer:
In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Gently fold in the chopped maraschino cherries. Spread this cherry mixture evenly over the pistachio layer. Refrigerate the bars for 2-3 hours, or until fully set.
Serve:
Once the bars are fully set, slice them into squares and serve. Enjoy the delicious layers of chocolate, pistachio, and cherry in every bite!
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes approximately 12 bars, depending on how you slice them. It takes about 10 minutes to prep the crust, 2 hours for the layers to set in the fridge, and another 30 minutes for each layer to chill in between. Total time: around 3 hours and 40 minutes, including chilling.
Variations
Nut-Free: If you’re looking to avoid nuts, you can skip the pistachio layer and substitute with a different pudding flavor like vanilla or even a fun fruit-flavored pudding mix.
Dairy-Free: Swap out the heavy cream and milk with coconut cream or a dairy-free alternative to make this recipe suitable for those avoiding dairy.
Add More Fruit: For an extra burst of flavor, you can add other fruits, such as strawberries or raspberries, to the cherry layer for variety.
Storage/Reheating
These Spumoni Bars are best kept in the refrigerator. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The layers will stay firm and delicious, making them the perfect make-ahead dessert. I don’t recommend freezing these bars, as the texture of the layers may change when thawed.
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FAQs
How long do Spumoni Bars need to chill?
The bars need to chill for at least 2-3 hours in the refrigerator for all the layers to fully set. Make sure each layer is given enough time to firm up before adding the next one.
Can I use a different type of crust?
Yes! While a graham cracker crust works beautifully, you can experiment with other options, such as an Oreo crust, shortbread crust, or even a nut-based crust for a different texture.
Can I make these bars in advance?
Definitely! These bars are perfect for making ahead of time. Prepare them a day or two before your event and let them chill in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Can I make individual servings instead of bars?
If you want to make individual servings, you can press the crust mixture into muffin tins and layer the ingredients in each cup. Just make sure to adjust the chilling time for smaller portions.
Can I add more layers?
While this recipe has three main layers (chocolate, pistachio, and cherry), you can get creative and add additional layers of whipped cream, caramel, or fruit if you like. Just ensure each layer has enough time to set before adding the next.
Conclusion
These Spumoni Bars are a delicious, creative take on the classic ice cream flavor that everyone will love. With a crunchy graham cracker crust and creamy layers of chocolate, pistachio, and cherry, this dessert is both visually appealing and irresistibly tasty. Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving something sweet, these bars will definitely become a favorite in my dessert repertoire. Enjoy!
📖 Recipe:
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Spumoni Bars
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 12 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Spumoni Bars are a delicious and creative twist on the classic spumoni ice cream. With rich layers of chocolate, pistachio, and cherry, all on a crunchy graham cracker crust, these easy-to-make bars are perfect for any occasion. The dessert combines indulgent flavors into a convenient, no-bake treat that’s sure to impress. Make them ahead of time for a hassle-free, crowd-pleasing dessert!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar
½ cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Layers:
Chocolate Layer:
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pistachio Layer:
1 ½ cups pistachio pudding mix (instant)
2 cups heavy cream
½ cup milk
Cherry Layer:
1 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
-
Make the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool. -
Chocolate Layer:
In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat until it simmers. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips until smooth. Add vanilla extract and mix. Pour over the cooled crust, spreading evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set. -
Pistachio Layer:
Mix pistachio pudding mix, heavy cream, and milk in a bowl until thickened. Spread over the chocolate layer and refrigerate for another 30 minutes. -
Cherry Layer:
Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Gently fold in chopped maraschino cherries. Spread over the pistachio layer and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until fully set. -
Serve:
Once fully set, slice into squares and enjoy!
Notes
Make-Ahead: These bars can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Nut-Free Option: Omit the pistachio layer and use vanilla or fruit-flavored pudding mix.
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute coconut cream or dairy-free alternatives for the heavy cream and milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for the crust)
- Category: Dessert, No-Bake Treat
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 bars
