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    Home » Recipes » Brownies & Bars

    Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies (Small Batch)

    Published: Feb 12, 2018 · Last modified: Jul 30, 2022 by Leslie Kiszka / This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote
    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies: Rich, super fudgy dark chocolate brownies are topped with a sweet maraschino cherry buttercream frosting that tastes just like the filling of a chocolate covered cherry! | stressbaking.com #stressbaking #smallbatch #cherry #chocolate #brownies #darkchocolate #valentinesday #dessert #chocolatecoveredcherry

    Rich, super fudgy dark chocolate brownies are topped with a sweet maraschino cherry buttercream frosting that tastes just like the filling of a chocolate covered cherry!

    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies

    Who else loves chocolate covered cherries? Specifically, dark chocolate covered cherries. I have a hard time finding ones that aren’t terribly quality, so I’d prefer to make my own. However… it’s kind of a pain in the ass. A delicious pain in the ass, but pain in the ass nonetheless. Instead, I’d prefer to make something with a flavor reminiscent of them.

    Enter these small batch chocolate covered cherry brownies.

    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies

    This recipe certainly does not have to be for Valentine’s Day, but you can’t deny that it’s perfect for it. It’s rich, fudgy, and sweet, and red and pink (which is basically a prerequisite for Valentine’s Day treats).

    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies

    I’m calling these “small batch” because you make them in a loaf pan and end up with 8-15 bars. Pro tip, though: because they are so sweet, I highly recommend cutting it into 15 squares. Eight squares may be more than your sweet tooth can handle (but hey, I’m not here to tell you how to live your life).

    So really, you have 15 squares which is hardly a small amount of brownies – that’s why I didn’t call these “Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies for Two” because that’s just insane. Maybe “Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies for Two Over the Course of Two Weeks”, maybe.

    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies

    I recently received feedback from a reader that they really struggle with knowing what the batter (or frosting, or dough, etc.) texture should be during different stages of a recipe’s creation, and that it would really helpful if I included more photos of the step by step to help them know if they’re on the right track.

    Ask and you shall receive, my friend! I can’t promise that I’ll always remember to include them, but I’ll certainly try my best.

    Process Shots

    So, to get to this:

    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies

    You want to start with this:

    Butter and light brown sugar melted together

    This is how things will start out with your butter and sugars. Grainy, but combined, and pulling away from the bowl when you pull the whisk through.

    Once you’ve added your egg, vanilla, cocoa powder, flour and salt, you’ll end up with a nice, thick batter like this:

    Dark chocolate brownie batter

    Don’t freak out if it seems like it’s taking a long time to combine – it’s a labor of love, and it will come together eventually. Totally worth the wait.

    Once baked, you’re going to get this gorgeous shiny, crackly topped brownie. Try really hard not to just pick it up and eat it like it’s one giant brownie. ‘Cause I mean, at this point it is one giant brownie, but it is most definitely not one serving. Although I guess anything is single serving if you really believe in yourself.

    Shiny, cracked top on dark chocolate brownies

    Now let’s talk about the frosting. Oh man, this frosting. It’s made with the addition of maraschino cherry juice and almond extract because it really gives you that flavor of the inside of a chocolate covered cherry. I love it so much. 

    You’re might not have a not-quite-smooth frosting when this is done. Don’t freak out. If it’s not silky smooth, that’s totally okay. There’s something about the amount of cherry juice that can give it a slightly different consistency, but it’s seriously completely okay. You’re covering it with chopped cherries and a dark chocolate drizzle anyway, and it tastes ridiculously good so I seriously doubt anyone is going to care. I prefer to have a stronger cherry flavor in lieu of silky perfection.

    Maraschino cherry frosting

    So, to recap:

    • Rich, super fudgy dark chocolate brownies.
    • Sweet, creamy cherry frosting.
    • Valentine’s Day personified. 
    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies

    Make them for Valentine’s Day.

    Or Galentine’s Day.

    Or for a random Tuesday.

    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies

    And remember: Don’t let the social unacceptance of walking around eating a 9″x5″ frosted brownie hold you back from reaching your dreams.

    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies
    Small Batch Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies

    Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies (Small Batch)

    5 from 1 vote
    Rich, super fudgy dark chocolate brownies are topped with a sweet maraschino cherry buttercream frosting that tastes just like the filling of a chocolate covered cherry!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings 8 to 15 squares
        ✓ Read the recipe from beginning to end
          ✓ Check oven calibration
            ✓ Check expiration dates
              ✓ Properly measure ingredients
                ✓ Check butter temperature

    Ingredients
     
     

    Brownies

    • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
    • 2 eggs, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¾ cup unsweetened or Special Dark cocoa powder
    • ⅓ cup all purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓-1/2 cup chocolate chips

    Cherry Frosting

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
    • 1 to 2 cups powdered sugar, divided
    • 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
    • ½ teaspoon almond extract
    • 8 maraschino cherries, sliced in half (or chopped)
    • 2 tablespoons dark chocolate, melted

    Instructions
     

    Brownies

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9"x5" pan with parchment paper and set aside.
    • In a large microwave safe bowl, combine butter and light brown sugar and microwave in 30 second increments, whisking after each. Repeat this process until you have a grainy, but combined mixture. Let cool for at least five minutes.
      5 tablespoons unsalted butter | 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
    • Add eggs and vanilla and whisk to combine.
      2 eggs | 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Add cocoa powder, flour and salt and whisk until just combined. It may take a bit and seem like it’s not even going to become batter, but it will!
      ¾ cup unsweetened or Special Dark cocoa powder | ⅓ cup all purpose flour | ½ teaspoon salt
    • Fold in chocolate chips.
      ⅓-1/2 cup chocolate chips
    • Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes and then move to wire rack to cool completely.

    Cherry Frosting

    • In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat butter until fluffy.
      ¼ cup unsalted butter
    • Add ½ cup powdered sugar and beat on high speed to combine.
      1 to 2 cups powdered sugar
    • Add cherry juice and almond extract, and beat again to combine.
      2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice | ½ teaspoon almond extract
    • Add the remaining powdered sugar (to taste) and beat on high speed to stiff peaks. Don’t worry if it seems grainy, it’s not going to be completely smooth.
      1 to 2 cups powdered sugar
    • Frost cooled brownies and top with sliced maraschino cherries. Drizzle with melted chocolate, slice and enjoy!
      8 maraschino cherries | 2 tablespoons dark chocolate

    Notes

    Note #1: Brownies can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
    Note #2: These are quite rich, so you can either slice into 8 large squares (slice down the middle, then lengthwise three times for two rows of four) or up to 15 (three rows of five).
    Note #3: If you want a larger batch, double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×9 pan for 45-50 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 229mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 459IU | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Author Leslie Kiszka
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating!

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    Leslie Kiszka in a red dress

    About Leslie

    I'm the hot mess behind every recipe you see here! I use baking as an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety to provide you with approachable homemade recipes and a little humor, for good measure.

    learn more about Leslie →

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      Recipe Rating




    1. wearenotmartha

      February 18, 2018 at 11:13 pm

      The only thing I don’t like about these is that they’re small batch… I’m gonna need a BIG batch of these!! All to myself :)

      Sues

      Reply
    2. lauren

      February 18, 2018 at 9:22 pm

      Girl, you know the way to my heart. And you definitely live too far away. I need your leftovers.

      Reply
    3. FoodieGirlChicago

      February 18, 2018 at 7:52 pm

      Love that this is a small batch recipe! The brownies look divine!!

      Reply
    4. Sharon Glascoe

      February 18, 2018 at 4:57 pm

      These brownies look so good. The classic chocolate and cherry combo with the frosting, a real winner in the dessert category.

      Reply
    5. Rezel Kealoha

      February 17, 2018 at 10:10 pm

      you just turned my favorite ice cream into a brownie. I think I like you and love the fact that it’s a small batch.

      Reply
    6. Abby

      February 17, 2018 at 11:27 am

      These are so beautifully amazingly wonderfully dark! I’m not sure they’d make it to the oven, but I’d like to give them a shot!

      Reply
    7. karyld2016

      February 17, 2018 at 9:00 am

      Oh my goodness this looks absolutely divine! I love the deep, dark chocolate. What a wonderful treat

      Reply
    8. Rachel

      February 16, 2018 at 12:34 pm

      Oh my goodness! These looks so yummy! The brownies look perfectly fudging and I love chocolate covered cherries!

      Reply
    9. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health

      February 13, 2018 at 5:26 pm

      cherry and chocolate is such a lovely combination!!

      Reply
    10. Matt Kearns

      February 12, 2018 at 7:54 pm

      Get in my belly brownies! These look awesome Lesley, well done!

      Reply

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