Black Forest Brownies Recipe
This Black Forest Brownies Recipe combines rich cocoa brownies with cherry pie filling and smooth chocolate ganache for an indulgent, crowd-pleasing dessert.
12 Servings
Ingredients
For the Brownie Base:
- 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter at room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 can approximately 21 oz cherry pie filling, drained of excess syrup
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips plus additional for topping, if desired
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing excess paper to hang over the sides for easy removal after baking.
Melt the Butter:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter until fully liquefied. Remove from the microwave and allow it to cool slightly.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Into the bowl with the melted butter, whisk in the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix until just combined, ensuring no streaks of flour remain.
Incorporate Chocolate and Cherries:
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips. Carefully lift whole cherries from the drained pie filling using a fork, tapping off excess syrup. Gently mix the cherries into the batter to distribute evenly.
Pour and Top:
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Optionally, place a few additional cherries on the surface for presentation.
Bake:
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the Ganache:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and heavy cream. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between intervals, until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Apply the Ganache:
- Pour most of the ganache over the cooled brownies and spread it evenly. If desired, transfer the remaining ganache into a piping bag and drizzle it over the surface for a decorative finish.
Set and Serve:
- Allow the ganache to set for at least 20 minutes at room temperature before slicing the brownies into squares. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum or similar binders. Additionally, confirm that your cherry pie filling and chocolate chips are labeled gluten-free, as some brands may include gluten-containing additives or stabilizers.