Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that perfectly balances rich chocolate and luscious fruit, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe. These brownies are not just your everyday treat—they bring together roasted cherries and deep Dutch cocoa for a truly indulgent experience. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or impressing guests, stick around because this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and totally worth every bite!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

This Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe is all about harmony—each ingredient plays a role in building flavor, texture, and that special wow factor. From juicy cherries to the right amount of cocoa, your shopping list is a little treasure chest of baking magic.

• Cherries: Fresh, pitted cherries are roasted to concentrate their flavors and remove excess moisture, which keeps the brownies from getting soggy.
• White granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create that tender crumb when whipped with eggs.
• Large eggs + egg yolk: They add structure and richness, while the yolk makes the brownies ultra fudgy.
• Unsalted butter: Melted to fold seamlessly into the batter for luscious texture without overpowering flavor.
• Oil (canola or vegetable): Works with butter to keep brownies moist and tender — that combo is key!
• Pure vanilla extract: A splash to bring all the chocolate and cherry notes together harmoniously.
• All-purpose flour: The backbone for structure, supports the fudgy matrix without making it cakey.
• Dutch process cocoa powder: This gives you deep chocolate flavor that’s less acidic and more complex.
• Cornstarch: Helps soften the texture, making it tender but not crumbly.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate’s richness.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate nestled inside and on top for extra indulgence.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how versatile this Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe can be. You can easily tailor it to your flavor mood or dietary needs without losing that perfect balance of chocolate and fruit. I usually try a few tweaks depending on the season or occasion.

• Cherry Variety: Sometimes I switch to frozen cherries when fresh aren’t in season. Just thaw and pat dry first—they roast just as beautifully!
• Nut Addition: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives an extra texture that contrasts so nicely with the fudgy brownie.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate chips, and you still get that moist, rich brownie I adore.

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

Step 1: Roast the Cherries to Boost Their Flavor

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While that warms up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the halved, pitted cherries evenly and sprinkle a little sugar over them—this helps with caramelization. Pop them in for about 10 minutes; you want them tender and bursting with intensified flavor but not mushy. Let them cool completely before adding to your batter so they don’t add unwanted moisture later.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pan and Dry Ingredients

Lower the oven to 325°F. Spray an 8×8-inch pan with baking spray, then line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper for easy removal later. Give the parchment a quick extra spray so your brownies slide right out.

Now sift together the flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt—this not only blends the dry ingredients evenly but also aerates them, helping with the brownie’s texture.

Step 3: Beat the Sugars and Eggs Until Fluffy

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the granulated sugar, whole eggs, and egg yolk on high speed for a full 5 minutes. I know it takes a bit of patience, but this step traps air in the batter, giving your brownies a lighter crumb beneath all that fudginess. You’ll see the mixture turn pale and thick—that’s exactly what you want.

Step 4: Add Butter, Oil, and Vanilla

While the eggs whip, melt your butter and let it cool just until it’s warm to the touch—not hot! Then slowly pour in the butter, oil, and vanilla extract while mixing on low speed. This combo locks in the moisture and gives brownies that signature richness without feeling heavy.

Step 5: Fold in the Dry Ingredients

Turn off the mixer and switch to a rubber spatula. Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. The trick here is to be gentle — you want to keep the airiness from the eggs but also mix everything until just combined with no streaks of flour.

Step 6: Add Cherries and Chocolate Chips, Then Bake

Take half of your roasted cherries and fold them carefully into the batter along with the chocolate chips. Pour everything into your prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, checking at the 40-minute mark. The edges should be set, but the center will still look slightly underdone—that’s how you get that perfect fudgy texture.

Step 7: Add Final Touches and Cool

Right out of the oven, sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top so they melt slightly in the residual heat. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan—that’s crucial for clean slicing. For an extra fancy touch, freeze the brownies for 15 minutes after cooling, then gently lift them out with the parchment paper. Top with the remaining roasted cherries before cutting into squares.

How to Serve Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of dark chocolate ganache for extra elegance. Sometimes, a small scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside makes these brownies feel like a dreamy dessert you’ll want to make on repeat.

Side Dishes

A rich cup of coffee or a creamy latte pairs perfectly to cut through the dark chocolate intensity. For an adult twist, a glass of red wine or a cherry liqueur complements the roasted fruit flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or brunches, I like to stack brownies on a pretty platter garnished with fresh cherries and edible flowers—it’s a showstopper! You can also cut them into mini bite-size squares and serve with toothpicks at gatherings for a fun finger-food dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I’ve found that keeping them well covered locks in moisture and freshness without drying them out.

Freezing

These brownies freeze wonderfully! I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. When I’m ready to enjoy, they thaw quickly on the counter or in the fridge overnight without losing any flavor or texture.

Reheating

If you want to warm up brownies without drying them, I pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or briefly in a low-temperature oven. Sometimes I add a tiny dab of butter or a scoop of ice cream to keep things extra moist and decadent.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cherry Brownies Recipe is one of those desserts I keep coming back to because it feels both indulgent and a little special with the roasted fruit twist. Making it is like a mini celebration in your kitchen—you’ll love how the cherries add brightness to the rich chocolate. Seriously, once you try these, they might just become your new go-to for any occasion. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing them as much as I do!

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