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Cherry Dark Chocolate Dessert Brookies – Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies
Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies combine the best of both worlds – the fudgy richness of brownies with the chewy texture of cookies. These decadent treats feature bursts of fresh cherries and chunks of dark chocolate in every bite. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, these brookies deliver an irresistible combination of flavors that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfect texture balance between fudgy brownies and chewy cookies that creates an amazing mouthfeel
- Fresh cherries add natural sweetness and tartness that complements the rich dark chocolate beautifully
- Simple ingredients and quick preparation make these treats accessible for any skill level
- Dairy-free and nut-free options make them suitable for various dietary restrictions
- Only 11 minutes baking time means you can satisfy cravings quickly without lengthy preparation
Why This Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies Recipe Works
This recipe succeeds because it balances wet and dry ingredients perfectly. The combination of plant-based butter, coconut sugar, and honey creates the ideal moisture content. Dutch-processed cocoa powder provides deep chocolate flavor without overwhelming the delicate cherry notes.
The baking soda creates just enough lift to achieve that signature brookie texture. Fresh or frozen cherries work equally well, giving you flexibility year-round. The 350°F temperature ensures even baking without burning the edges.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies
These brookies offer incredible versatility for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or need a quick dessert fix, they deliver consistently delicious results. The natural sweetness from honey and coconut sugar creates a more complex flavor profile than traditional white sugar.
The dairy-free butter ensures everyone can enjoy these treats without compromising on taste or texture. Each bite provides the perfect balance of chocolate richness and fruity brightness that makes these brookies absolutely irresistible.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 1 cup dairy-free/nut-free butter (Earth Balance or Melt brands work well)
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar (or substitute brown sugar)
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks (Enjoy Life or Made Good brands)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, roughly chopped
Tools
- Electric mixer with paddle attachment
- Two large baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Fine-mesh sifter
- Large mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife for chopping cherries
How to Make Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies
| Step 1: | Preheat oven to 350°F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside for later use. |
| Step 2: | In a bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Set this dry mixture aside. |
| Step 3: | In electric mixer bowl with paddle attachment, cream together butter, coconut sugar, honey, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. |
| Step 4: | Add flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined. Increase to medium-low speed and continue beating until well combined. |
| Step 5: | Add chocolate chips and chopped cherries. Continue beating for 30 seconds more until evenly distributed throughout batter. |
| Step 6: | Divide batter evenly onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 11 minutes. Cookies will be puffy but deflate as they cool. |
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Room temperature butter creams better, so take it out 30 minutes before baking for optimal texture
- Don’t overmix the batter once you add flour to prevent tough, dense brookies
- Frozen cherries work just as well as fresh – no need to thaw them first
- Space brookies at least 2 inches apart on baking sheets to prevent spreading into each other
- Let brookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to maintain their shape
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Tips
Serve these Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies at room temperature for the best texture and flavor. They pair wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk. For special occasions, dust them lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.
Store brookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking. These treats also make excellent gifts when packaged in decorative boxes.
For inspiration on other delicious desserts, check out our 5-Ingredient Easy Keto Cloud Cake Recipe for a lighter option.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid overbaking these brookies, as they continue cooking on the hot pan after removal from the oven. They should look slightly underdone when you take them out. Overbaking results in dry, crumbly cookies instead of fudgy brookies.
Don’t skip sifting the dry ingredients. This step ensures even distribution and prevents lumps in your batter. Also, resist the urge to flatten the dough balls – they’ll spread naturally during baking.
Using cold butter straight from the refrigerator will result in poor creaming and dense brookies. Always use room temperature butter for the best texture and proper ingredient incorporation.
You Must Know
- Brookies will look underdone when you remove them from the oven but will firm up as they cool completely
- Dutch-processed cocoa powder creates a richer chocolate flavor than regular cocoa powder in this recipe
- Fresh and frozen cherries both work equally well, but frozen cherries may release more moisture
- The honey in this recipe helps create the perfect chewy texture that defines great brookies
Tips and Tricks for Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies
For extra indulgent brookies, add a pinch of espresso powder to intensify the chocolate flavor. This won’t make them taste like coffee but will enhance the cocoa notes beautifully.
Try different cherry varieties for unique flavor profiles. Sweet cherries provide mellow sweetness, while tart cherries add a delightful tang that balances the rich chocolate perfectly.
If you prefer smaller treats, use a cookie scoop to create uniform portions. This ensures even baking and professional-looking results every time.
Suggestions for Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies
Transform these brookies into an elegant dessert by serving them warm with vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of cherry sauce. The temperature contrast creates an amazing sensory experience.
For a fun twist, press the dough into a lined 9×13 pan and bake as bars instead of individual cookies. Cut into squares once cooled for easy serving at parties or potlucks.
Consider making these for holiday gatherings alongside our Ultimate Chicken Casserole for a complete meal that satisfies both savory and sweet cravings.
For more chocolate-cherry inspiration, explore these Chocolate Cherry Magic Cookie Bars or try these Cherry Double-Chocolate Cookies.
FAQs:
Yes, you can substitute regular butter for dairy-free butter in equal amounts. The texture and flavor will remain similar, though the brookies won’t be dairy-free anymore.
The brookies are done when they appear slightly underdone and puffy. They’ll continue cooking on the hot pan and deflate as they cool to achieve the perfect texture.
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it. You can also freeze baked brookies for up to three months in an airtight container.
Both work equally well in Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies. Frozen cherries may release slightly more moisture, but this doesn’t significantly affect the final result.
Dry brookies usually result from overbaking or using cold butter. Make sure to use room temperature butter and remove them from the oven when they still look slightly underdone.
Conclusion
These Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies deliver the perfect combination of rich chocolate and bright cherry flavors in every bite. With their ideal texture balance and simple preparation, they’re destined to become your go-to dessert recipe. The dairy-free ingredients make them inclusive for various dietary needs without sacrificing taste.
Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just treating yourself, these brookies provide consistent, delicious results. Try them today and discover why this unique dessert hybrid has captured the hearts of dessert lovers everywhere.
More Easy desserts Recipes:
- Dark Chocolate Delight Recipe – Best 4-Layer Dessert
- Best Espresso Mocha Fudge Brookies Recipe – Easy & Delicious
- 4th July Fruit Kabobs: Easy Patriotic Recipe in 20 Minutes
- Espresso Coffee Ice Cream Recipe – Easy 5-Minute Dessert
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📖 Recipe Card
Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies Recipe
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: ~24 brookies
Description
Fudgy, chewy, and bursting with cherry-chocolate goodness, these Cherry Dark Chocolate Brookies blend the best of brownies and cookies. With just 11 minutes of baking time, these easy treats deliver bakery-level flavor and texture in no time—perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dairy-free/nut-free butter (Earth Balance or Melt brands work well)
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar (or substitute brown sugar)
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks (Enjoy Life or Made Good brands)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside for later use.
- In a bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In electric mixer bowl with paddle attachment, cream together butter, coconut sugar, honey, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined. Increase to medium-low speed and continue beating until well combined.
- Add chocolate chips and chopped cherries. Continue beating for 30 seconds more until evenly distributed throughout batter.
- Divide batter evenly onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 11 minutes. Cookies will be puffy but deflate as they cool.
Notes
- Room temperature butter creams better, so take it out 30 minutes before baking for optimal texture
- Don’t overmix the batter once you add flour to prevent tough, dense brookies
- Frozen cherries work just as well as fresh – no need to thaw them first
- Space brookies at least 2 inches apart on baking sheets to prevent spreading into each other
- Let brookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to maintain their shape
- Brookies will look underdone when you remove them from the oven but will firm up as they cool completely
- Dutch-processed cocoa powder creates a richer chocolate flavor than regular cocoa powder in this recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brookie
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cherry chocolate cookies, cherry brownie cookies, vegan brookies, dairy-free desserts, coconut sugar brookies, cherry cocoa cookies, brownie-cookie hybrid, chocolate cherry treats
