Name: Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
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); 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); 2 tablespoons Butter; Reserved cherry juice from 1 cup Maraschino Cherries; 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract (can replace with vanilla extract); 1 cup Maraschino Cherries, chopped (can substitute with fresh or frozen cherries); 1 cup Chocolate Chips (high-quality chocolate recommended); 2 tablespoons Butter (plant-based butter can maintain vegan aspect)

Introduction

These Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies combine rich cocoa, luscious cherries, and smooth chocolate ganache for a truly indulgent treat. Perfect for special occasions or whenever you’re craving a decadent dessert, they bring together layers of flavor and texture that chocolate lovers will adore.

A close-up image of a rich dessert square with three distinct layers. The bottom layer is dense, dark chocolate cake with a moist, crumbly texture. The middle layer consists of fluffy pink cherry cream filling, dotted with visible dark red cherries. On top, there is a smooth, glossy dark chocolate ganache, finished with a single shiny dark red cherry placed in the center. More dessert squares with the same layers are softly blurred in the background, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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)

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 smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Step 3: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently. Fold in the 1 cup of chocolate chips.

Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Step 5: To make the cherry buttercream, mix together the 2 tablespoons of butter, powdered sugar, half-and-half, reserved cherry juice (from the maraschino cherries), and almond extract until smooth. Fold in chopped maraschino cherries.

Step 6: Spread the cherry buttercream evenly over the cooled brownies. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set the layer.

Step 7: For the ganache, melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of butter together in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 8: Pour the ganache over the cherry buttercream layer, smoothing it out evenly. Let the ganache set at room temperature or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until firm.

Step 9: Once set, cut the brownies into squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh or frozen cherries if you prefer less sweetness or want a natural cherry flavor.

For a denser brownie, omit the baking powder in the dry ingredients.

Swap dark chocolate chips for white chocolate chips in the batter or ganache for a sweeter twist.

To make it dairy-free, use plant-based butter and your favorite dairy-free milk alternative.

Reserve some cherry juice from the maraschino jar to add extra cherry flavor to the buttercream.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?

Yes, fresh or frozen cherries can be used. If using fresh, chop them finely and consider adding a bit of sugar to the buttercream for sweetness.

What if I want a vegan version of these brownies?

Use margarine or plant-based butter instead of dairy butter, replace eggs with egg alternatives like flax eggs, and substitute the half-and-half with plant-based milk. Make sure to select vegan chocolate chips as well.