This recipe for Easy Black Forest Brownies is something special. I love all things cherry! I am not usually a fan of super heavy chocolate desserts but this recipe is one of the exceptions. The combination of cherries with rich fudgy chocolate brownies is a taste explosion that I will never refuse! This recipe is kosher, pareve, and non-dairy. Read on to learn how to make the best Easy Black Forest Brownie recipe.
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What is a black forest dessert?
Any time a "black forest" dessert is mentioned, it refers to the combination of chocolate and cherry. There are a few versions of the history of this dessert but they all agree that the recipe originated in the Schwartzwald (Black Forest) of Germany. This combination of flavors can (and should) be used in any number of different desserts such as cakes, brownies and ice cream sundaes.
Ingredients in black forest brownies
- Non- dairy butter substitute: I like to use Flora where available. Other good brands are Smart Balance or Earth Balance but any non-dairy butter substitute can be used.
- Sugar: use white sugar for this recipe.
- Eggs: use the whole eggs for this recipe. This recipe can also be made vegan by substituting 3 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise for each egg.
- Vanilla: use real vanilla and not imitation.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: This is the cocoa powder you find in the baking section. If it contains sugar it is something that you do not want for this recipe. Keep looking for the real deal, it should be pretty easy to find.
- Salt: for baking and not for flavor.
- Baking powder: a leavening agent.
- Dried cherries: Use dried cherries and do not use the cherries from a can during baking. I repeat, do not use the cherries from a can for baking. They contain a significant amount of liquid that will upset the balance of other ingredients in this recipe and make it spongy.
- Pecans: chopped or whole
- Chocolate chips: non-dairy will keep this recipe pareve and vegan.
A step by step guide to Easy Black Forest Brownies
Time needed: 30 minutes.
These are so quick and easy to make there are only 6 steps to take (most of which are mixing the batter).
- Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 350ºF while you are preparing the batter.
- Prepare your pan for baking
Either line your pan with parchment paper or grease it with non-dairy butter substitute or a pan spray. You do not need to do both of these things, pick one.
- Make the batter, part 1
On low heat, melt the non-dairy butter substitute and then remove from hear. Stir in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla making sure not to scratch any non-stick coating your sauce pan or pot might have.
- Make the batter, part 2
Take your mixture from step 3 and now mix in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Make the batter, part 3
Now take the batter from step 4 and mix in the dried cherries, pecans, and chocolate chips.
- Bake
Spread the batter out evenly over the pan that you prepared for baking. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The finished brownies will be a little bit gooey. This is not a cake, they are brownies!
FAQ
This recipe is designed to be dairy free but adding milk or water will give the brownies a lighter cakey feel instead of the dense fudgyness you might be used to. For this recipe, we do not recommend adding either.
The fudgy quality of brownies comes from adding fat. In this recipe, the non-dairy butter and chocolate chips are the fats that really make the fudginess happen.
Yes, you can. This recipe can be made completely vegan if you substitute 3 tablespoon of vegan mayonnaise for each egg.
Yes again. Just substitute 3 tablespoon of mayo for each egg.
Yes. Place the leftover brownies into a freezer bag and then into the freezer. Take them out of the freezer 1 hr before serving.
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📖 Recipe
Equipment
- 8- inch square pan
- Large saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ cup non-dairy butter substitute
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup flour all purpose
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup dried cherries
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Line 8- inch square pan with parchment paper or grease and flour well.
- In a large saucepan, melt non-dairy butter substitute.
- Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Mix in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Add dried cherries, chopped nuts, and chocolate chips.
- Spread batter in prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Do not overbake.
- Remove and let cool. Garnish with fresh or canned cherries and pareve whipped cream.
Nutrition
If you like this recipe then you will love these:
Kayla
Simply a super recipe! It also makes perfect chocolate brownies if you don't put the cherries, but cherries make it even better! This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Eitana Near
These brownies are decadent!!! This recipe is a gem and I won’t be letting go of it. It’s printed and bookmarked!!
Ben
Thanks for the comment.