Black Forest Brownies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups fresh cherries (or frozen) ((310g / 11oz with pits OR 270g / 9.5oz pitted))
• 1 tablespoon white sugar ((notes))
• 100 g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) ((3.5oz) )
• 113 g unsalted butter ((1 stick / 1/2 cup))
• 3 large eggs, room temp
• 1 cup white granulated sugar ((200g / 7oz))
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed ((50g / 1.8oz))
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 130 g plain flour (all purp flour) ((1 cup / 5.6oz) )
• 25 g cocoa powder ((0.9oz / 1/4 cup))
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup whipping cream (heavy whipping cream) ((250ml))
• 100 g milk chocolate, shaved ((3.5oz) (notes))

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / 160C fan forced. Grease and line an 8x8 inch square baking tin with baking paper.

2. 2

   Pit the cherries and chop into quarters. Set aside ½ cup for the topping. Add the rest to a bowl with 1 tablespoon of white sugar. Set aside to macerate for 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Place the butter and chocolate in a heat proof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each until melted and smooth. Set aside.

4. 4

   Place the eggs and both of the remaining sugars in a large bowl. Whisk with a handheld mixer for around 2 minutes until light and fluffy (or in a stand mixer with paddle attachment for 3-5 minutes)

5. 5

   Add the melted butter and chocolate mixture, along with the vanilla, and stir through with a spatula.

6. 6

   Sift over the plain flour, cocoa and salt and stir through with a spatula until just combined.

7. 7

   Use a fork to lightly mash the macerated cherries, then stir them through the brownie batter.

8. 8

   Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for around 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with some sticky crumbs on it (see notes).

9. 9

   Let them cool completely before proceeding. You can speed this up by putting chilling them in the fridge.

10. 10

    Whip the cream in a bowl until soft peaks, then spread over the top. Dot with remaining cherries then scatter with chocolate shavings.

11. 11

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