Chocolate, cherries and whipped cream are the key components of Black Forest Cake. These are the fudgy, easier brownie version!
It's the end of Farmers Market Week, and I'm sharing another dessert, this one filled with fresh sweet cherries.
Cherries and chocolate pair so well together, probably most famously in Black Forest Cake, a German layered sponge cake, layered with cherries and whipped cream.
The traditional Black Forest cake is time-consuming to make, but this brownie version is much easier! I made my brownies on the fudgier side, but if you prefer cakier brownies, that will work just fine.
Traditional Black Forest Cake uses sour morello cherries, but since I prefer sweet cherries (and those are most often what I find at my local farmers markets), that's what I used in this recipe. Again, if your preference is for sour cherries, feel free to use those instead.
If you plan to serve these at a party or dinner, you can make the brownies and cherry sauce ahead of time. Spread the sauce on the brownies, then cover and refrigerate. This will let the juices of the jam soak into the brownies, adding even more delicious cherry flavor.
Wait until just before serving to top with whipped cream and grated chocolate. Homemade whipped cream doesn't keep well in the refrigerator, and the chocolate shavings would sink into the cream.
As I mention in the notes of the recipe, if fresh sweet cherries aren't in season, you can substitute frozen instead. No need to thaw before adding them to the brownie batter, or before using them to make the sauce.
These are incredibly rich brownies, so even thought cutting them into 16 squares seems very small, they will still be very satisfying.
Black Forest Brownies
Chocolate, cherries and whipped cream are the key components of Black Forest Cake. These are the fudgy, easier brownie version!
Ingredients
For brownies
- 12 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (6 oz) sweet cherries, pitted
For the cherry sauce layer
- ¾ cup (6 oz) sweet cherries, pitted
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
For the topping
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1 ½ tablespoon powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup grated semisweet chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 9x9 inch baking pan with tin foil, allowing two inches of foil to hang over the edges. Spray with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Melt together the butter and chocolate in the microwave in 30 second bursts on high heat, stirring well between each until just melted. Set aside to cool.
- Stir together the flour, baking powder, cocoa and sugar together, making sure there are no lumps. Make a well in the center and add the melted butter/chocolate mixture and the vanilla. Stir just to moisten the dry ingredients, then add the beaten eggs and beat well just until combined.
- Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan and use a spoon or spatula to spread to all the edges and into the corners. Drop the cherries over the batter layer then spoon the rest of the batter over the top of the cherries, spreading to cover as much as possible.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until firm around the edges but the middle should still be a little soft (with a very slight wobble if you shake the pan).
- Remove to a wire rack to cool.
- Whip the cream to soft peaks. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat to medium-stiff peaks. Spread over the top of the cooled brownie. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings. Store in the refrigerator if not serving immediately.
- Use the foil overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Cut the brownie sheet into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
If fresh sweet cherries aren't in season, you can use an equal amount of frozen pitted cherries.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 254Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 17mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 3g
I am not a certified nutritionist. This nutrition information is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only.
Adapted from Good Life Eats
Thanks Ellen from Family Around the Table and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures for hosting our Farmer’s Market Event!
Friday Farmer’s Market Week Recipes
- Asian Cucumber Salad by Books n' Cooks
- Black Forest Brownies by The Redhead Baker
- Blueberry Cream Pops by Family Around the Table
- Blueberry No-Bake Cake by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Honey-Roasted Garlic Ice Cream by The Spiffy Cookie
- Israeli Veggie Skewers by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Mom's Southern Squash Casserole by Intelligent Domestications
- Old Fashioned Watermelon Pie by Daily Dish Recipes
- Poppy Seed Dijon Slaw by Palatable Pastime
- Sweet Corn Ice Cream by Savory Moments
- Fun Orange Freakshake by The Freshman Cook
Kaylin Cook
Sunday 28th of June 2020
Hi I was just wondering how much chocolate and baking powder to do since they are not listed in the ingredients list. From the recipe instructions, the chocolate is different from the cocoa powder, right?