Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe

If you love rich, decadent desserts with a burst of fruity goodness, you’re going to absolutely adore this Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe. These brownies marry velvety chocolate with juicy roasted cherries, creating a flavor combo that feels both comforting and a little fancy—a total crowd-pleaser every single time. Stick around because I’m about to share some cozy tips and tricks that’ll help you nail this delicious treat, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned brownie lover looking for a twist.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe is chosen to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. From the fruit to the chocolate, these components combine to give you a dessert that’s rich, moist, and bursting with fresh cherry sweetness. Here are some quick tips on picking and prepping your ingredients for maximum yum:

• Cherries: Fresh, pitted cherries roasted to bring out natural sugars and tenderize them for easy folding into the batter.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar for sweetness and structure, balanced perfectly within the batter.
• Eggs and Egg Yolk: Provide moisture, richness, and help create that chewy brownie texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted for silky texture and buttery flavor without overpowering the chocolate.
• Vegetable or Canola Oil: Adds moistness and a tender crumb, preventing the brownies from being dry.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor and adds a lovely warm note.
• All-purpose Flour: Gives the brownies structure without making them cakey.
• Dutch Process Cocoa Powder: Rich and smooth cocoa for that deep chocolate taste without bitterness.
• Cornstarch: A little trick to keep brownies soft and tender by lightening the texture.
• Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness and enhancing all the flavors.
• Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: Melty bursts of chocolate that complement the roasted cherries perfectly.

Tweak to Your Taste

This is such a versatile Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe that you can easily tweak it to suit your preferences or dietary needs. I love making it as is for gatherings, but sometimes I like to add a little twist just to keep things interesting—don’t be afraid to play around!

• White Chocolate Swap: Once I tried swapping semi-sweet chips for white chocolate chips, and the creamy sweetness paired with tart cherries took these brownies to the next level.
• Nutty Boost: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gave my brownies an extra crunch and a lovely earthy note, perfect for fall dessert vibes.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Using a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour worked great—just make sure to check your blend includes xanthan gum for that chewy texture.
• Extra Cherry Goodness: If you’re a cherry fanatic like me, sprinkle extra roasted cherries on top before baking for that eye-catching finish.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Roast Those Cherries for Maximum Flavor

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Lay your pitted and halved cherries on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and sprinkle a little sugar over them. Pop them in the oven for 10 minutes. Trust me, this step makes a huge difference—the roasting brings out their natural sweetness and softens them so they blend beautifully with the chocolate later on. Let them cool completely before using.

Step 2: Prep Your Pan with Love

Turn the oven down to 325°F. Grab an 8×8-inch pan and spray it with non-stick baking spray. Line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper and spray the parchment again—this little double step will make pulling the brownies out after baking a breeze and keep edges from sticking.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, sift together the flour, Dutch process cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. This sifting step helps avoid any lumps and gives your brownies a silky smooth texture.

Step 4: Whip Sugar and Eggs for Lift

Using a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the sugar, eggs, and egg yolk on high speed for about 5 minutes. You’ll see the mixture turn pale and thick—this aeration is what gives the brownies their light yet fudgy texture, so don’t skip this step!

Step 5: Add the Wet Ingredients

Melt your butter and let it cool slightly. Then pour the butter, oil, and vanilla extract into your egg mixture and whisk on low speed just to combine.

Step 6: Gently Fold in Dry Ingredients

Take your rubber spatula and fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet batter. Do this gently to keep as much air in the batter as possible—that’s the secret to tender brownies. Overmixing here can make them dense and dry, so slow and steady wins the race.

Step 7: Add Cherries and Chocolate Chips

Fold in half of the roasted cherries, then add the chocolate chips and fold just until combined. The chocolate chips create irresistible little pockets of melting goodness, and the cherries add bursts of juicy sweetness.

Step 8: Bake Till Edges Are Set

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake at 325°F for 40 to 50 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges are set, but the middle still looks a bit underdone—this ensures they’re moist and fudgy inside. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top halfway through baking for a glossy, melty topping. Let the pan cool completely before moving on.

Step 9: Chill and Serve with Cherry Love

Pop the cooled brownies in the freezer for 15 minutes—it firms them up just enough to lift cleanly out of the pan. Then arrange the remaining roasted cherries on top before slicing. This final decorative touch adds extra pop and makes these brownies look as good as they taste.

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping these brownies with extra roasted cherries and a light dusting of powdered sugar—it adds a subtle sweetness and makes them look irresistible. Sometimes, I drizzle a little melted dark chocolate or sprinkle flaky sea salt for that extra flavor pop. These simple garnishes elevate the dessert for special occasions instantly.

Side Dishes

These brownies pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a cozy touch, serve alongside a warm cup of coffee or a chilled glass of milk—something to balance that rich, chocolate cherry goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or parties, I like to cut these brownies into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a platter with fresh mint leaves and extra cherries. You can also layer them with whipped cream and cherry compote in clear glasses for an elegant parfait-style dessert that impresses guests effortlessly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The chocolate and cherries stay fresh and fudgy, but if your kitchen feels warm or humid, I recommend popping them in the fridge to keep things stable.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, these brownies freeze beautifully. I usually wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They last up to three months, and thaw quickly on the counter when you’re ready for a treat.

Reheating

To warm up frozen or refrigerated brownies, I pop them in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds—just enough to soften the chocolate without drying them out. You can also warm them in a low oven (about 300°F) wrapped in foil for 10 minutes, which gives a lovely freshly baked feel.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to comfort desserts because it’s so ridiculously satisfying and yet surprisingly easy. The way the roasted cherries play with deep chocolate always gets “wow” reactions from friends and family—and honestly, it never lasts long in my house. I can’t wait for you to try it and put your own spin on these brownies. Trust me, once you taste that perfect fudgy texture with juicy cherry surprises, you’ll be baking them again and again!

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