Chocolate Cherry Brownies - Moist and delicious chocolatey brownies loaded with chunks of dark chocolate, crunchy cacao nibs and sweet dried cherries! Irresistible and fudgy they will satisfying your chocolate craving and your sweet tooth!
Love that rich chocolate flavor? Then be sure to try Better than Sex Cake next! A chocolate poke cake recipe dripping with chocolate syrup, butterscotch and topped with Heath Candy Bars - AMAZING!
Fudgy Chocolate Cherry Brownies
These fudgy chocolate and cherry brownies are loaded with chunks of dark chocolate, crunchy cacao nibs, and sweet dried cherries. Cherries and chocolate are a wonderful combination!
Dried cherries and tart cherry juice can be found in the supermarket year-round, and provide these chocolate cherry brownies with plenty of real cherry flavor, no artificial cherry flavoring necessary!
Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe
- butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and almond extract - all created together will add richness to the brownies.
- AP flour, baking powder, salt - all baking staples.
- dried tart cherries, tart cherry juice - it's the perfect edition for these Fudgy brownies!
- cocoa powder, bittersweet chocolate, cacao nibs - to add rich chocolatey goodness!
While you're shopping, be sure and pick up extra dried cherries! Only a cup is needed for this recipe, you can’t help but snacking on these chewy, sweet gems!
What makes brownies fudgy?
That rich chocolatey fudgy flavor is achieved when there's a higher fat to flour ratio. Surprisingly increasing the amount of sugar or eggs doesn't effect the "fudginess" of the brownie.
What is the difference between chewy and fudgy brownies?
Cakes bars have more flour and uses baking powder for leavening.
Tips to make good brownies!
- Use real butter - now is not the time to use margarine! The higher fat content in butter results in a flavor that is more rich and decadent.
- high quality cocoa powder - What cocoa powder is best for brownies? Look for Dutch processed or natural cocoa powder. These brands are treated with an alkali solution, which neutralizes some of the acidity. The process darkens the color and typically deepens the flavor.
- really good chocolate - quality matters! I reach for Ghirardelli, but Hershey's also has some great baking chocolate.
You'll love this from scratch recipe!
Keep this recipe for when your next chocolate fix strikes. All the ingredients can be found in a well-stocked pantry, making the need for a boxed mix obsolete.
Make these brownies for your next barbecue, potluck, girl’s night in, or just because you need a little chocolate and cherry in your life.
Steps to make this Chocolate Cherry Brownies
- Preheat the oven
- Combine dried cherries and juice in a saucepan. Bring liquid to boil, then set aside.
- Sift together the dry ingredients, set aside..
- Melt the butter, add sugar and butter to mixing bowl, cream until fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, add vanilla and almond extracts.
- Stir in dry ingredients into wet by hand, and mix until combined.
- Mix in the reconstituted cherries and any remaining cherry juice.
- Stir in chopped chocolate and cacao nibs.
- Pour brownie batter into prepared pan and bake.
- Let cool completely before cutting and serving.
This is a wonderful, from scratch recipes shared originally by my colleague Renee from Creative Mama Messy House.
More chocolate recipes for your sweet tooth!
You all know, Dan is the King of Sweets in our home. Some of his favorites include Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies and Chocolate Coconut Macaroons. The man has good taste! 😋
Here are a few more to tempt you!
Chocolate Banana Bars - frosted bars that are so chocolatey and delicious! And my personal favorite, Chocolate Covered Nuts - rich chocolate melted over nuts. What's not to love?!!
You should be able to find all of the ingredients at your grocery store, but if you're not sure what to look for, here are some examples.
- Cocoa Nibs - raw organic cocoa
- Tart Cherry Juice - naturally sweetened and delicious!
Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe
Fudgy Chocolate Cherry Brownies
Ingredients
- Fudgy Chocolate Cherry Brownies
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dried tart cherries
- ½ cup tart cherry juice
- 1 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate 72% cacao
- ½ cup cacao nibs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Combine dried cherries and cherry juice in a small saucepan. Bring liquid to boil, then remove from heat. Set aside to allow the cherries to reconstitute and cool.
- Sift cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Melt butter in microwave or on the stovetop.
- Add sugar and melted butter to mixing bowl, cream until fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, making sure that the egg is thoroughly combined before adding the next. Add vanilla and almond extracts.
- Stir in dry ingredients into wet, and mix until just combined.
- Mix in the reconstituted cherries and any remaining cherry juice. Stir until homogenous.
- Stir in chopped chocolate and cacao nibs.
- Pour brownie batter into prepared 9x13 pan, bake for 28-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool uncovered (or covered loosely with a thin tea towel) to room temperature before cutting and serving.
Notes
Tips to make the BEST brownies!
- Use real butter - now is not the time to use margarine! The higher fat content in butter results in a flavor that is more rich and decadent.
- high quality cocoa powder - What cocoa powder is best for brownies? Look for Dutch processed or natural cocoa powder. These brands are treated with an alkali solution, which neutralizes some of the acidity. The process darkens the color and typically deepens the flavor.
- really good chocolate - quality matters! I reach for Ghirardelli, but Hershey's also has some great baking chocolate.
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.Author Biography: Renee Cheatham is the blogger behind Creative Mama Messy House. A mom of two teenagers and a 3 year old, she enjoys life in Northern California. When she isn’t in the kitchen baking, she can be found perusing her local farmer’s markets, or chasing her boys around the yard. You can find more of Renee on her blog, or on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
