Description

Indulge in these Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies, a rich and fudgy treat layered with luscious cherry buttercream and silky chocolate ganache. Perfectly balanced with the tartness of maraschino cherries and the deep flavor of cocoa, these brownies offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors that chocolate and cherry lovers will adore.

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)
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)

Chocolate Ganache

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

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, melted butter, and water, stirring until smooth and well incorporated. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and homogenous.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution.
Make the Brownie Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to combine without overmixing. Fold in the chocolate chips evenly through the batter.
Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Prepare Cherry Buttercream: In a bowl, blend the butter, powdered sugar, half-and-half (or chosen milk alternative), reserved cherry juice, and almond extract until smooth and creamy. Fold in chopped maraschino cherries gently to distribute evenly.
Assemble the Layers: Spread the cherry buttercream evenly over the cooled brownies. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for about 30 minutes to set the buttercream layer.
Make the Ganache: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter in short intervals, stirring frequently until smooth and glossy. Pour the ganache evenly over the chilled buttercream layer.
Set and Serve: Let the ganache set at room temperature or place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes until firm. Once set, cut into squares and serve your decadent cherry-covered brownies.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with margarine or plant-based butter, and use a non-dairy milk alternative.
If you prefer denser brownies, you can omit the baking powder from the dry ingredients.
Fresh or frozen cherries can replace maraschino cherries if you want less sweetness.
The almond extract in the buttercream can be replaced with additional vanilla extract if preferred.
Use high-quality chocolate for the ganache to achieve the best flavor and texture.
Make sure the brownies are completely cooled before applying the buttercream to avoid melting.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate cherry brownies, cherry buttercream brownies, chocolate ganache brownies, decadent chocolate dessert, cherry chocolate dessert, homemade brownies, rich chocolate cherry dessert