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Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 119 reviews

These Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with a luscious cherry buttercream and a glossy chocolate ganache topping. Perfectly balanced with sweet maraschino cherries and premium chocolate chips, this dessert is sure to impress at any gathering or as a special treat for yourself.

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

  • 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 Maraschino Cherries (can substitute with fresh or frozen cherries, reserve juice for buttercream)
  • 2 tablespoons Butter (plant-based butter can maintain vegan aspect)

Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup Chocolate Chips (high-quality chocolate recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons Butter (plant-based butter can maintain vegan aspect)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, lightly sprayed with cooking spray to ensure easy removal.
  2. Make Brownie Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, melted butter, and water, stirring until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well incorporated creating a homogeneous batter.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
  4. Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing carefully to avoid overworking. Fold in the chocolate chips gently to ensure even distribution.
  5. Bake Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan.
  6. Prepare Cherry Buttercream: In a bowl, mix together butter, powdered sugar, half-and-half, reserved cherry juice (from maraschino cherries), and almond extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Fold in finely chopped maraschino cherries.
  7. Spread Buttercream: Spread the cherry buttercream evenly over the cooled brownies. Place the pan in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the buttercream to set.
  8. Make Chocolate Ganache: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter in short intervals, stirring thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
  9. Apply Ganache: Pour the ganache evenly over the cherry buttercream layer. Allow the ganache to set at room temperature or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes for a firmer finish.
  10. Serve: Once the ganache has set, cut the brownies into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature for the best experience.

Notes

  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with margarine or plant-based butter and use a non-dairy milk alternative for half-and-half.
  • Omitting baking powder will result in denser, fudgier brownies.
  • Use Dutch-processed cocoa for a richer chocolate flavor.
  • Ensure brownies are completely cooled before spreading buttercream to prevent melting.
  • Reserve cherry juice from maraschino cherries for enhanced flavor in the buttercream.
  • Adjust sweetness by substituting powdered sugar with coconut sugar in the buttercream.
  • For gluten-free brownies, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • To keep the dessert vegan, use egg replacements and plant-based dairy alternatives.

Keywords: Chocolate brownies, cherry brownies, chocolate cherry dessert, rich brownies, chocolate ganache, buttercream frosting, maraschino cherries, decadent dessert

Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/decadent-chocolate-covered-cherry-brownies-recipe/