Description

These Decadent Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies are a luscious treat combining rich chocolate, sweet maraschino cherries, and a smooth cherry buttercream topping finished with a glossy ganache. Perfect for chocolate lovers seeking a delightful dessert with layers of flavor and texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Base

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)
Butter juice reserved from cherries
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

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 spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, melted butter, and water. Stir until smooth, then beat in eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly until well blended.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and flavor.
Make Brownie Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to combine. Fold in chocolate chips to the batter for rich chocolate bursts throughout.
Bake Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. Use a toothpick to check doneness; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and cool completely.
Prepare Cherry Buttercream: In a separate bowl, mix butter, powdered sugar, half-and-half, reserved cherry juice, and almond extract until smooth and creamy. Chop maraschino cherries and fold them gently into the buttercream mixture.
Spread Buttercream Layer: Once brownies have cooled, spread the cherry buttercream evenly over the top. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set the layer.
Make Chocolate Ganache: Melt chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in short intervals, stirring until smooth and glossy. Pour the ganache over the buttercream layer, spreading evenly.
Set and Serve: Allow the ganache to set at room temperature or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until firm. Cut into squares and serve your decadent chocolate covered cherry brownies.

Notes

Use Dutch-processed cocoa for a richer chocolate flavor in brownies.
To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute butter with margarine or plant-based butter and use dairy-free milk alternatives.
For gluten-free brownies, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Chilling the buttercream layer helps it firm up and prevents the ganache from mixing in.
Be careful not to overbake brownies; a slightly moist center yields the best texture.
Reserve some cherry juice from maraschino cherries to add flavor to the buttercream.
Ganache can also be made using equal parts cream and chocolate melted together if preferred.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chocolate brownies, cherry brownies, chocolate covered cherry brownies, cherry buttercream, chocolate ganache, baked dessert, chocolate cherry dessert