Chef Jake Thompson - Comfort Food Specialist
👨‍🍳 Comfort Food Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Culinary Arts Graduate ⏰ 18+ Years Experience 🍽️ BBQ & Grill Master

❤️ My Recipe Story

"These brownies were inspired by a summer visit to a cherry orchard. I discovered that roasting the cherries first intensifies their sweetness and prevents them from making the brownies soggy - a game-changing technique for fruit brownies."

Jake specializes in elevated comfort food that brings bold flavors to classic dishes. He's spent years perfecting techniques that maximize flavor while maintaining the hearty, satisfying nature of traditional American cuisine.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Rich fudgy brownies with jewel-like roasted cherries scattered throughout, cut into squares and dusted with powdered sugar on a wooden cutting board

The Secret of Roasted Cherries

Roasting cherries before adding them to brownie batter transforms their flavor and texture completely. The high heat caramelizes their natural sugars while concentrating their flavor, creating intense pockets of cherry sweetness that complement the rich chocolate perfectly.

The roasting process also removes excess moisture from the cherries, preventing them from making the brownies soggy. A touch of balsamic vinegar enhances the fruit's natural tartness and adds complexity to the overall flavor profile.

💡 Professional Tip

Drain the roasted cherries well before folding into the batter, but save those concentrated juices - they make an excellent drizzle for ice cream or addition to cocktails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, frozen cherries work well. Thaw completely and drain excess liquid before roasting. You may need to roast them a few minutes longer to remove moisture.

Sour cherries work too, but increase the sugar for roasting to 3-4 tablespoons to balance their tartness. The flavor will be more intense and tangy.

A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. The top should look set but not dry or cracked.

Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.

Yes, double all ingredients and use a 9x13 inch pan. Increase baking time to 40-45 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick.

Cool completely, then refrigerate for 2 hours. Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts, or run the knife under warm water and dry before each cut.

Roasted strawberries, raspberries, or even dried cranberries work well. Adjust roasting time based on the fruit's size and moisture content.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Soggy Brownies

Problem: Brownies turn out wet or soggy

Solution: Ensure cherries are well-drained after roasting, don't skip the cooling step for cherries, and check oven temperature accuracy.

✅

Dry Brownies

Problem: Brownies are dry and crumbly

Solution: Don't overbake - remove when toothpick has moist crumbs. Check oven temperature and consider reducing baking time by 3-5 minutes.

✅

Sunken Center

Problem: Brownies sink in the middle after baking

Prevention: Don't overmix the batter, ensure oven temperature is accurate, and avoid opening oven door during first 25 minutes of baking.

✅

Cherries Sinking

Problem: Roasted cherries sink to bottom of brownies

Recovery: Toss drained cherries lightly in flour before folding into batter, and don't overmix once cherries are added.

✅

Burnt Edges

Problem: Edges cook too fast or burn

Prevention: Use light-colored metal pan, tent edges with foil if browning too quickly, or reduce oven temperature by 25°F and extend baking time.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add a pinch of sea salt or increase cocoa powder slightly

Too Salty: Balance with extra vanilla extract or a light dusting of powdered sugar

Bland: Increase vanilla, add instant espresso powder, or use higher quality chocolate

Fresh red cherries, dark chocolate chunks, cocoa powder, eggs, and other brownie ingredients arranged on a marble surface with baking tools

Selecting Premium Ingredients

The quality of chocolate makes an enormous difference in these brownies. Choose dark chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content for the perfect balance of richness and sweetness. The chocolate should be smooth and glossy when melted, indicating good quality and proper tempering.

Fresh, firm cherries work best for roasting, but high-quality frozen cherries are an excellent alternative. Look for cherries that are deep red in color and free from blemishes. Sweet varieties like Bing or Rainier cherries provide the ideal flavor balance with the rich chocolate.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Cherry Selection: Choose firm, ripe cherries without soft spots. Sweet cherries like Bing work best, but tart cherries can be used with extra sugar during roasting.
  • Chocolate Quality: Use high-quality dark chocolate bars chopped into chunks rather than chocolate chips for melting. This creates a more luxurious texture and richer flavor.
  • Cocoa Powder: Dutch-processed cocoa powder provides deeper color and richer flavor, but natural cocoa powder works well too. Sift to remove lumps for smooth brownies.
Roasted cherries caramelizing in the oven with golden edges, and chocolate brownie batter being mixed in a bowl

Mastering the Roasting and Baking Process

The roasting process is crucial for achieving the perfect cherry flavor and texture. High heat caramelizes the fruit's natural sugars while the balsamic vinegar adds depth and prevents excessive sweetness. Proper timing ensures the cherries are concentrated but not dried out.

When making the brownie base, the key is not to overmix once the flour is added. Gentle folding preserves the fudgy texture while ensuring the roasted cherries are evenly distributed without breaking apart or releasing excess moisture.

The Perfect Fudgy Texture

Melt chocolate and butter completely before adding other ingredients. This creates the foundation for fudgy brownies. Don't overbake - they'll continue cooking from residual heat.

Roasted Cherry Brownies

Prep 25 min
Cook 35 min
Serves 16 servings
Level Intermediate

📋 Ingredients

For Roasted Cherries

  • 300g fresh sweet cherries, pitted
    Use firm, ripe cherries for best results
  • 30g granulated sugar
    Helps caramelize the cherries
  • 15ml balsamic vinegar
    Enhances flavor and prevents over-sweetness

For Brownie Base

  • 200g dark chocolate, chopped
    Use 60-70% cocoa content for best flavor
  • 115g unsalted butter
    Creates rich, fudgy texture
  • 200g brown sugar
    Adds moisture and deep flavor
  • 2 large eggs
    Provides structure and richness
  • 5ml vanilla extract
    Enhances chocolate flavor
  • 95g all-purpose flour
    Provides structure without heaviness
  • 30g cocoa powder
    Intensifies chocolate flavor

Instructions

  1. Roast the Cherries

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss pitted cherries with 2 tbsp sugar and balsamic vinegar. Roast for 15-18 minutes until caramelized. Cool completely and drain excess juices.

  2. Prepare Brownie Base

    Reduce oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment. Melt chocolate and butter in double boiler until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in brown sugar.

  3. Mix Wet Ingredients

    Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract. Whisk until mixture is glossy and smooth.

  4. Add Dry Ingredients

    Sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold into chocolate mixture until just combined. Gently fold in roasted cherries and chocolate chips.

  5. Bake and Cool

    Pour batter into prepared pan and sprinkle with walnuts if using. Bake for 32-35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out with few moist crumbs. Cool completely before cutting.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. These brownies are also excellent warmed slightly and served with coffee or milk.

Variations

Try different fruits like roasted strawberries or raspberries. You can also add a cherry liqueur glaze or swirl in cream cheese before baking for extra decadence.