Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies Recipe
Introduction
These decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies combine rich chocolate, sweet cherries, and creamy buttercream for a dessert you’ll love. Perfectly fudgy with a luscious cherry twist, they’re ideal for any chocolate lover looking to impress.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Butter (or margarine for dairy-free option)
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2 large Eggs (egg replacements can be used if needed)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (use pure vanilla for best flavor)
- 1 cup All-purpose Flour (substitute with gluten-free blend if necessary)
- 1/3 cup Baking Cocoa (Dutch-processed cocoa for richer taste)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (omit for dense brownies)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (kosher salt is an alternative)
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips (dark or white chocolate can also be used)
- 1 cup Maraschino Cherries (can substitute with fresh or frozen cherries)
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (coconut sugar as a less sweet alternative)
- 1/4 cup Half-and-Half or Milk (dairy-free alternatives can be used)
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract (can replace with vanilla extract)
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips (high-quality chocolate recommended for ganache)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (plant-based butter can maintain vegan aspect)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, melted butter, and water. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix these dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips.
- Step 4: Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
- Step 5: Prepare the cherry buttercream by mixing together 2 tablespoons of butter, powdered sugar, half-and-half, reserved cherry juice (from the maraschino cherries), and almond extract until smooth. Gently fold in chopped maraschino cherries.
- Step 6: Spread the cherry buttercream evenly over the cooled brownies. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set.
- Step 7: For the ganache, melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of butter together in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Step 8: Pour the ganache over the buttercream layer on the brownies. Let it set at room temperature or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until firm.
- Step 9: Once set, cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your rich chocolate cherry brownies!
Tips & Variations
- For a denser brownie, omit the baking powder from the dry ingredients.
- Use fresh or frozen cherries if you prefer a less sweet and more natural cherry flavor.
- Dark chocolate chips create a richer ganache, while white chocolate offers a sweeter contrast.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute margarine and plant-based milk alternatives as suggested.
- Add a pinch of espresso powder to the batter to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Storage
Store the brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To serve, bring them to room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for a softer texture. These brownies can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Yes, fresh or frozen cherries work well as a substitute. Keep in mind fresh cherries may add more moisture, so chop them and pat dry to avoid thinning the buttercream.
What can I use as an egg replacement in this recipe?
Common egg replacements include flaxseed meal mixed with water, applesauce, or commercial egg replacers. Use according to the package instructions to maintain the brownie texture.
Print
Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
These Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with a luscious cherry buttercream filling and a smooth chocolate ganache topping. Perfectly layered and bursting with cherry flavor, these brownies offer an irresistible treat for chocolate and cherry lovers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Butter (or margarine for dairy-free option)
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2 large Eggs (egg replacements can be used if needed)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (use pure vanilla for best flavor)
- 1 cup All-purpose Flour (substitute with gluten-free blend if necessary)
- 1/3 cup Baking Cocoa (Dutch-processed cocoa for richer taste)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder (omit for dense brownies)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (kosher salt is an alternative)
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips (dark or white chocolate can also be used)
Cherry Buttercream
- 1 cup Maraschino Cherries (can substitute with fresh or frozen cherries, chopped)
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (coconut sugar as a less sweet alternative)
- 1/4 cup Half-and-Half or Milk (dairy-free alternatives can be used)
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract (can replace with vanilla extract)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (plant-based butter can maintain vegan aspect)
- Reserved cherry juice from maraschino cherries
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips (high-quality chocolate recommended)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (plant-based butter can maintain vegan aspect)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray to ensure easy removal of brownies after baking.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, melted butter, and water, stirring until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly to incorporate air and flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare Cherry Buttercream: In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, half-and-half or milk, reserved maraschino cherry juice, and almond extract. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Fold in chopped maraschino cherries gently to incorporate the cherry flavor and texture.
- Assemble the Layer: Spread the cherry buttercream evenly over the cooled brownies. Place the brownie pan in the refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes to allow the buttercream to set nicely.
- Make Chocolate Ganache: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and butter. Microwave in short bursts of 20 seconds, stirring in between, until the mixture is melted and smooth. Pour the ganache evenly over the cherry buttercream layer on the brownies.
- Set Ganache and Serve: Let the ganache set at room temperature, or place the brownies back in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes for a firmer set. Once ganache is set, cut the brownies into squares and serve.
Notes
- Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- You can substitute dairy butter and half-and-half with plant-based alternatives for a dairy-free version.
- If you prefer denser brownies, omit the baking powder.
- Fresh or frozen cherries can be used instead of maraschino cherries; adjust the added liquid accordingly.
- Letting the ganache set fully improves the texture and presentation.
- Store brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the buttercream and ganache fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chocolate brownies, cherry brownies, chocolate covered cherries, chocolate cherry dessert, fudgy brownies, homemade brownies
