Chocolate-Cherry Brownies Are Fruity, Fudgy and So Fabulous — 5 Recipes Sure To Wow

Some food pairings just seem like a match made in heaven, and when it comes to desserts, there’s something irresistible about chocolate and cherries. The deep, slightly bitter cocoa notes are perfectly complemented by the pop of fruity sweetness. One of our favorite ways to enjoy the combo: chocolate cherry brownies. Whether you start with a mix or make ‘em from scratch, use the juiciest fresh cherries or keep it simple with maraschino, they are guaranteed to satisfy a sweet craving. Read on for our best chocolate cherry brownie recipes and get ready to be wowed!

How to make the best chocolate cherry brownies

For this fruity take on a dessert classic, just about any style of brownie recipe will do. Woman’s World food director Julie Miltenberger says her favorite involves dark chocolate. “It reminds me of the classic chocolate-cherry combo of a Black Forest cake.”

Many of our recipes below use fresh cherries, but Julie says it’s perfectly fine to use an equal amount of frozen cherries instead. “As long as your dish bakes for longer than 15-20 mins., there’s no need to thaw the fruit first,” she notes. “Simply pat off any ice crystals and add to your batter.” (Click through to read about the health benefits of fresh cherries.)

What about maraschino cherries? You can swap in those too. One important note: “Since maraschino cherries are preserved in a colored sugar mixture, your dessert will be sweeter than if you use fresh or frozen cherries,” Julie says. So you may want to cut back on the amount of cherries you add.

5 chocolate cherry brownie recipes

From creamy bars to one-bite delights and fast parfaits, we’ve got a dessert you’re going to love. Keep scrolling and click through for the easy how-tos.

1. Mini Cherry-Topped Brownie Bites

Our delightful bite-sized sweets are sure to be the cherry on top of any fabulous feast — mascarpone cream makes them extra-special.

2. Berry-Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Quick-fix brownies provide the fudgy base for rich creamy cheesecake dotted with fresh cherries and raspberries.

3. Fruity Brownie Trifles

Short on time? Sub in pre-packaged brownie bites for our from-scratch version for a treat that’s ready in minutes.

4. Choco-Cherry Brownies

The season’s best cherries add extra mmm to these bites layered with white chocolate–cream cheese filling.

5. Brownies ‘n’ Cream Stacks

Dates in the batter are the secret ingredient that ensure these bite-sized delights bake up extra moist and delicious — a cherry-berry sauce makes ‘em even better.

Can’t get enough brownie goodness? Check out these articles:

Dolly Parton’s Pecan Pie Brownies Recipe Proves There’s Never Too Much of a Good Thing

8 Add-In Ingredients That Make Brownie Mix More Delicious

Black Bean Brownies Are Packed With Gut-Healing Fiber — and They Taste Amazing

‘Iron Chef’ Judge Says You Need This Salty and Unexpected Condiment to Bake Brownies