Chewy Chocolate Cherry Brownies (Print-Friendly Version)

Soft brownies packed with cherries, finished with a smooth cherry cream cheese frosting for extra decadence.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Brownie Base

01 - 220 g plain flour
02 - 35 g high-quality cocoa powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 170 g unsalted butter
07 - 400 g packed brown sugar
08 - 28 g unsweetened baker’s chocolate, melted
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
11 - 150 g fresh cherries, pitted and quartered

→ Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 60 g cream cheese, softened
13 - 60 g unsalted butter, softened
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - 315 g icing sugar (powdered sugar)
16 - 15 ml milk (add only as needed to achieve spreadable consistency)
17 - 50 g fresh cherries, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Set aside.
02 - Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and immediately whisk in brown sugar, melted unsweetened chocolate, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
03 - Continue to stir the mixture until all sugar granules have dissolved; test between fingers to ensure no granularity remains for a smooth, fudgy texture.
04 - Gradually mix the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
05 - Gently fold quartered cherries into the batter.
06 - Spread batter evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 23 cm x 23 cm baking pan. Bake at 175°C for 35–40 minutes (reduce to 160°C if using glassware) until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out with moist crumbs. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
07 - Once cooled, if edges have domed, trim horizontally with a serrated bread knife to level. Leave brownies in the pan for frosting application.
08 - In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add icing sugar, mixing thoroughly. Add milk as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency, then gently fold in the chopped cherries.
09 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled brownies. Cut into squares or bars with a sharp knife before serving.

# Extra Information:

01 - Achieve optimal fudgy texture by ensuring all sugar is dissolved before adding dry ingredients.
02 - Fresh cherries lend a natural sweetness and chewy contrast; substitute with thawed, well-drained frozen cherries if necessary.

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