Chocolate Chip & Cherry Brownies

I have been fairly good and don’t make near as many sweets and treats as I used to. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE sweets & treats, and that’s the problem. I love them too much, and I eat them too much as well. But every now and then, I just have to give in and make some. This time, I was beckoned with the lure of chocolate chip and cherry brownies. They are full of cherries so they are healthy, right?! Well, that’s my story and I am sticking to it. 🙂

The herbs were a gift from Julia and her garden. Julia arranged them so prettily I just had to put them in a vase too. 🙂 Yak & Yeti

I love the combination of chocolate and cherries. It’s one of the best matches out there. So when I find delicious recipes that combine both of these great tastes together, I just have to make them. The richness of the chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is a perfect match for the tartness of the cherries. It’s like I am just called to it. These brownies are ooey and gooey and just plain perfection, even if I do say so myself.

Chocolate Chip & Cherry Brownies

1 1/2 cups cherries, pitted and chopped – dried cherries will work too

2/3 cup water

1 tsp almond extract

4 TBSP butter, melted

6 TBSP canola or vegetable oil

1/3 cup cocoa powder

2 eggs + 2 egg yolks

2 tsp vanilla

2 1/4 cups sugar

4 oz chocolate chips

1 tsp salt

1 3/4 cups flour

powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Chop the cherries and add them to the water and almond extract. Cook in the microwave for about 1 minute, then let them set for a few minutes before using them, while you are combining the rest of the ingredients.

Preheat the oven to 350* F or 180* C

Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray then line with aluminum foil and spray the foil with cooking spray too. This makes for an easy release with minimal clean-up afterwards.

Combine all the dry ingredients and the chocolate chips and set aside.

Whisk the eggs and sugar together, then add the melted butter, oil and vanilla and combine well.

Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Then add the cherries and incorporate them into the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the the brownies are slightly puffed up and a toothpick comes out with just a few brownie crumbs.

Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting them into squares. I always like to dust my brownies with powdered sugar too. They just look more polished and finished this way, but this is purely optional.

Enjoy! It’s hard to stop at just one.

Stay safe and stay well Everyone. ‘Til next time.

Author: ajeanneinthekitchen

I have worked in the restaurant and catering industry for over 35 years. I attended 2 culinary schools in Southern California, and have a degree in culinary arts from the Southern California School of Culinary Arts, as well as a few other degrees in other areas. I love to cook and I love to feed people. View all posts by ajeanneinthekitchen