Bourbon Cherry Brownies

This post contains affiliate links.

Knowing of my aunt’s love for chocolate-covered bourbon cherries that make their appearance at a local chocolatier every year around Christmas time, when I stumbled upon a recipe for bourbon cherry brownies, I had to make them. She was, after all, coming for lunch, and this would be the perfect dessert. As it turned out, life got in the way, and she didn’t make it for lunch. The cherries sat in the refrigerator, soaking in bourbon, for nearly a week before I remembered they were there, and boy were they good! The brownies that I eventually got around to making were equally good.

You don’t have to like bourbon in order to appreciate the wonderful depth of flavor and dense chocolate in this decadent dessert. Try them, and let me know what you think.

Bourbon Cherry Brownies

¾ c. bing cherries soaked in bourbon*
¾ c. flour
¾ t. baking powder
2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch salt
¾ c. unsalted butter
¾ c. dark chocolate chips
2 large eggs
1 c. superfine sugar

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8” x 8” baking pan with parchment paper. Spray bottom and sides with Baker’s Joy; set aside.

Drain and coarsely chop cherries, reserving liquid for later. Spread out onto plate lined with a double thickness of paper towels. Using another paper towel on top, pat to dry; set aside.

Sift together flour, baking powder, cocoa, and salt; set aside.

Melt butter and chocolate together in a microwave safe dish at 30-second intervals, stirring after each; set aside to cool.

While chocolate is cooling, beat the eggs and sugar together until smooth, pale yellow in color, and almost meringue-like, 1 to 2 minutes. Combine with cooled chocolate, and beat thoroughly, maintaining the meringue-like texture. With mixer set on low, beat in flour mixture to combine, 30 seconds.

Fold in drained cherries. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. When cool, refrigerate for one hour before slicing.

*Soak cherries in bourbon to cover for two days or up to a week.