Cherry Brownie Bars
Cherry Brownie Bars: These wonderfully dense chocolate brownies pack a punch of cherry flavor! Nothing compares to easy homemade brownies and these certainly deliver. Not only do they have a decadent chocolate flavor (read below for my secret ingredient) with tons of cherries, these magnificent treats are also topped with a creamy butter frosting that is full of cherries. For an added bonus….a dipped cherry on top! Are you ready to experience these decadent brownies? I know I am.
How to make chocolate dipped cherries
Are you craving a sweet and decadent chewy brownie treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth? Look no further than these cherry chocolate brownies! These delicious and indulgent treats combine the rich, fudgy brownies with the tangy burst of cherries for a mouthwatering flavor experience. Whether you’re a fan of chocolate or fruit desserts, these cherry brownie bars have something for everyone. Get ready to indulge in the perfect balance of chocolate and cherry – let’s get started creating one of my favorite desserts!
CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES INGREDIENTS (full printable easy recipe below in recipe card)
- 12 maraschino cherries with stems
- ½ cup dark or milk chocolate candy melts
CHERRY BROWNIE BARS INGREDIENTS
- 1 (12 ounce) package of semisweet chocolate chips, divided (1 cup)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 (16 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, without stems,drained, dried and chopped
CHERRY FROSTING INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup maraschino cherries drained, dried and chopped
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES INSTRUCTIONS
- Pick out the best cherries, lay them on a paper towel and lightly blot dry.
- Pour the candy melts into a small microwave safe bowl; heat until candy is melted and creamy (about 1 min.).
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper; dip into the melted chocolate half way up the cherries, lightly shake off any excess chocolate and place on prepared cookie sheet.
- Set aside to harden.
CHERRY BROWNIE BARS INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 325°, line a 9×13-inch baking pan with enough foil to hang over the sides (about 2-inches), spray with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Measure out 1 cup of chocolate chips and set aside. In a medium saucepan combine the remaining chocolate chips, butter and unsweetened chocolate.
- Cook on low heat, stirring until melted; set aside to cool 5 minutes.
- Add ¼ cup flour and reserved (1 cup) chocolate chips (from the bag) to a small bowl, stir to combine and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine remaining ½ cup flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, eggs, espresso powder and vanilla.
- Stir in melted chocolate mixture until just combined, stir in flour mixture until just combined, stir in chocolate chip mixture and then cherries.
- Spread dark chocolate brownie batter in prepared pan; bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging.
- Cool pan on rack 1 hour.
- Refrigerate uncovered until completely cooled (about 2 hours).
CHERRY FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS
- In a medium mixing bowl beat together the butter, confectioners’ sugar, milk and almond extract until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Stir in cherries.
- Using the foil, lift brownies from pan; spread frosting over the top.
- Cut into 12 large pieces or 24 small pieces.
Are Maraschino Cherries “real” cherries?
MORE DELICIOUS DESSERTS
CHERRY BROWNIE BARS FAQ’s
Yes, a boxed brownie mix will work in a pinch. I recommend using a good brownie mix. My favorite is Ghirardelli.
Yes, although I have never tried it, there are a lot of recipes out there. Most of them use a store bought brownie mix. I don’t know why it wouldn’t also work with a homemade brownie recipe. For the most part, a whole can of cherry pie filling is folded into the brownie batter and then baked. I like using Luck Leaf Cherry Pie Filling but any brand will work.
If you would like to add a cream cheese based frosting to the cherry brownies I suggest adding chopped cherries to the basic cream cheese frosting recipe.
Definitely, cherry season is the best time of the year! Make sure the fresh cherries are sweet.
NO, the brownie batter is stirred. A mixer is not necessary.
These decadent cherry brownie bars have chopped cherries in the batter, and are topped with a creamy cherry frosting. Chocolate and cherries are the main focus, the same as black forest brownies. So, there is no difference.
Yes, although I love the long stem shooting out of the tops of the maraschino cherries the cherry cordial would be a great substitution.
Cherry Brownie Bars
These wonderfully dense chocolate brownies pack a cherry punch! Nothing compares to a homemade brownie and these certainly deliver.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Covered Cherries:
- 12 maraschino cherries with stems
- ½ cup dark or milk chocolate candy melts
For the Brownie Bars:
- 1 (12 ounce) package of semisweet chocolate chips, divided (1 cup)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 (16 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, without stems,drained, dried and chopped
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup maraschino cherries drained, dried and chopped
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
For the Chocolate Covered Cherries:
- Pick out the best cherries, lay them on a paper towel and lightly blot dry.
- Pour the candy melts into a small microwave safe bowl; heat until candy is melted and creamy (about 1 min.).
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper; dip into the melted chocolate half way up the cherries, lightly shake off any excess chocolate and place on prepared cookie sheet.
- Set aside to harden.
For the Brownie Bars:
- Preheat oven to 325°, line a 9x13-inch baking pan with enough foil to hang over the sides (about 2-inches), spray with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Measure out 1 cup of chocolate chips and set aside. In a medium saucepan combine the remaining chocolate chips, butter and unsweetened chocolate.
- Cook on low heat, stirring until melted; set aside to cool 5 minutes.
- Add ¼ cup flour and reserved (1 cup) chocolate chips (from the bag) to a small bowl, stir to combine and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine remaining ½ cup flour, baking powder and salt.
- In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, eggs, espresso powder and vanilla.
- Stir in melted chocolate mixture until just combined, stir in flour mixture until just combined, stir in chocolate chip mixture and then cherries.
- Spread in prepared pan; bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging.
- Cool pan on rack 1 hour.
- Refrigerate uncovered until completely cooled (about 2 hours).
For the Frosting:
- In a medium mixing bowl beat together the butter, powdered sugar, milk and almond extract until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Stir in cherries.
- Using the foil, lift brownies from pan; spread frosting over the top.
- Cut into 12 large pieces or 24 small pieces.
NOTE: If you choose to cut into small pieces remember to adjust the amount of chocolate dipped cherries to accommodate the adjustment.
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These look delicious. I can’t wait to make them. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Thanks Brian!
Sheryl, what amount of chocolate chips is utilized in the saucepan with butter and unsweetened chocolate and what amount is tossed in? I’m confused
Hi Geri, Sorry for the confusion. I have revised the recipe.
Thank you, I so want to bake these for V-Day, now I can proceed:)