Roasted Cherry Brownies (Printable)
Fudgy chocolate squares studded with caramelized roasted cherries create an indulgent summer dessert with rich chocolate flavor and bursts of sweet fruit.
# What You Need:
→ Roasted Cherries
01 - 1 1/2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
02 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
03 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Brownie Batter
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, plus extra for pan preparation
05 - 6 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
06 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
10 - 1/4 tsp salt
11 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
12 - 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
# Directions:
01 - Set oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss pitted, halved cherries with sugar and vanilla. Spread on prepared sheet and roast 12-15 minutes until juicy and caramelized. Cool completely.
03 - Reduce oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square pan and line with parchment, leaving overhang for removal.
04 - Set heatproof bowl over simmering water. Melt butter and chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
05 - Whisk granulated and brown sugars into melted chocolate. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and salt.
06 - Sift flour and cocoa into batter. Gently fold until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
07 - Fold most roasted cherries into batter, reserving a few pieces for topping.
08 - Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth top, and scatter reserved cherries. Bake 25-28 minutes until toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
09 - Cool completely in pan before lifting out and cutting into squares.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The roasted cherries create pockets of intense fruit flavor that perfectly cut through the rich chocolate
- These brownies strike that impossible balance between fudgy and cakey that everyone argues about but everyone loves
02 -
- Let the roasted cherries cool completely before folding them into the batter, or they'll cook the eggs and mess up your texture
- These brownies continue to set as they cool, so that slightly underdone toothpick test is actually perfect
03 -
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper that overhangs the sides, and you can lift the whole batch out easily for perfect squares
- Roast extra cherries while you're at it and keep them in the fridge for topping oatmeal or yogurt