Why they’re so good!

Black forest brownies – fudgy chocolate brownies laced with macerated cherries – are an indulgent combination of luxurious cherries and chocolate. They’re the more decadent cousin of the classic black forest cake.

These are dense yet soft, rich and fudgy – everything a brownie should be. They’re easy to make too (pinky promise) and very portable. Taking humble brownies to a celebratory level, these cherry brownies are great for Christmas or Valentines especially.

I have loads of cherry recipes from this easy baked cheesecake with fresh cherry sauce right through to this puff pastry cherry strudel. Both so good but just type cherry in the search box to see more you’ll love.

This recipe was first published here on September 7th, 2019. It has been updated with better images and step by step photos.

Closeup of a brownie topped with cream and cherries on a white surface.

Ingredients in black forest brownies

Along with baking regulars like eggs, flour, butter and salt there’s a handful of ingredients in these brownies that give such amazing flavour.

Ingredients for black forest brownies on a white marble surface.

Jump to the recipe for full ingredients and instructions.

Flour: You just need plain flour / all purpose flour.

Cherries: Fresh are best but you can use frozen in a bind. Make sure they are defrosted and drain any excess liquid away.

Chocolate: Use a dark 50%-70% chocolate that has a good flavour. Don’t use compound chocolate but a good quality baking chocolate works great. Choc chips are fine too.

Sugar: White and brown in this recipe. Both for sweetness but a little brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness.

Cocoa powder: I just use regular unsweetened cocoa powder but you can also use dutch-processed cocoa.

Vanilla extract: I always add a little vanilla to chocolate recipes as it actually accentuates the chocolate flavour.

Feel free to add some chocolate chips to make them extra indulgent. Any will work from white chocolate chips right through to dark chocolate chips. Or for extra luxury and gooeyness, use some big chocolate chunks.

Handy tools to have

While you really don’t need much more than a hand whisk and a couple of bowls;

How to make black forest brownies – step by step

Macerated fresh cherries mixed through a thick chocolate brownie batter and a layer of whipped cream – here we go.

Jump to the recipe for full ingredients and instructions.

1. Macerate the cherries

Pit the cherries, if they aren’t already – see my tips below – then chop them into quarters and sprinkle over some sugar. Just set them aside to macerate while you make the black forest brownie batter. They’ll soften and create their own syrup.

Sugar being poured over fresh cherries in a bowl.

2. Melt butter and chocolate

Melt together butter and chocolate in a bowl. You can use the microwave or a bowl over boiling water. If using the microwave, zap it in 30 second increments stirring really well between each. If using the double-boiler method, make sure the bowl isn’t touching the water.

Melted butter and chocolate in a bowl.

3. Beat the eggs and sugar

Beat the eggs and sugar until really pale and fluffy looking.

Eggs and sugar beaten together until fluffy.

4. Add the chocolate and butter

Add the melted chocolate and butter mixture and beat that in.

Beating the chocolate mixture into the eggs.

5. Add the dry ingredients

Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and salt to remove any lumps then mix it in with a spatula.

Sifting over the dry ingredients.

6. Add the cherries

Now, add those gorgeous ruby-looking macerated cherries and gently mix them through the brownie batter.

Pouring the macerated cherries into the batter.

7. Bake

Pour the cherry brownie batter into a lined baking pan and bake.

The cherry brownie batter in a baking pan.

8. Add the topping

Once the brownies have cooled whip up some thickened cream (aka heavy or whipping cream) and spread that over, then dot with more cherries and shaved chocolate. Done!

Tips and Tricks

  1. Pitting cherries: If you don’t have a cherry pitter (which admittedly makes the process much easier), place the cherry on a board, sit the blade of a sharp knife on top, then with two fingers holding it from the top, roll it so the knife cuts straight around the centre. Pull the two halves apart and pull out the pit with your fingers.
  2. The eggs and sugar: I beat these for a good 1-2 minutes until pale. It’s not absolutely necessary for the brownies to work but gives an amazing almost meringue-like crust on top. You can just beat for 30 seconds though and they’ll work out fine.
  3. Baking time: This will depend on your oven and your brownie texture preference. A toothpick inserted should come out looking sticky but not wet or unbaked. Brownies will continue to bake purely from their own internal heat after they’ve been removed from the oven, so leaving them longer than this will give you dry brownies.
  4. Shaving the chocolate: I use a regular speed peeler or vegetable peeler to make the shaved chocolate and chocolate curls on top. Use room temperature chocolate, and run the blade along the thin edge of the chocolate.
  5. Swap the cream for ice cream: If you want to make a super decadent dessert from these black forest brownies, skip the whipped cream and instead, serve them slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream before topping with the shaved chocolate and cherries.
A batch of brownies topped with cream, cherries and chocolate shavings.

Storage and serving

Black forest brownies are lovely served at room temperature so take them out of the fridge at least 30-40 minutes before you want to serve them. If it’s very hot where they are, don’t leave them out too long as the freshly whipped cream may suffer.

Any leftovers (lucky you) will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

The brownies can be made ahead a day or two then top with whipped cream closer to serving time.

Go ahead and spoil your family with these gorgeous cherry brownies. They’re a wonderfully easy, make ahead dessert that still look like a total celebration.

Two brownies stacked, topped with cream, cherries and chocolate.

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Two brownies stacked, topped with cream, cherries and chocolate
4.9 from 14 ratings
Black forest brownies are a winning combination of whipped cream, fresh cherries and chocolate. Fudgy, decadent cherry brownies made from scratch are a classic flavour pairing.

Ingredients

FOR THE CHERRIES

  • 2 ½ cups fresh cherries (or frozen) (310g / 11oz with pits OR 270g / 9.5oz pitted)
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar (notes)

FOR THE BROWNIES

  • 100 g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) (3.5oz)
  • 113 g unsalted butter (1 stick / ½ cup)
  • 3 large eggs, room temp
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar (200g / 7oz)
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed (50g / 1.8oz)
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 130 g plain flour (all purp flour) (1 cup / 5.6oz)
  • 25 g cocoa powder (0.9oz / ¼ cup)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

FOR THE TOPPING

  • ¾ cup whipping cream (heavy whipping cream) (250ml)
  • 100 g milk chocolate, shaved (3.5oz) (notes)

For best results, always weigh ingredients where a weight is provided

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / 160C fan forced. Grease and line an 8×8 inch square baking tin with baking paper.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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)
  • Add the melted butter and chocolate mixture, along with the vanilla, and stir through with a spatula.
  • Sift over the plain flour, cocoa and salt and stir through with a spatula until just combined.
  • Use a fork to lightly mash the macerated cherries, then stir them through the brownie batter.
  • 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).
  • Let them cool completely before proceeding. You can speed this up by putting chilling them in the fridge.
  • Whip the cream in a bowl until soft peaks, then spread over the top. Dot with remaining cherries then scatter with chocolate shavings.
  • Please take a moment to leave a comment & rating. It's appreciated and so helpful.

Notes

  1. Tablespoons: I use a standard Australian 20ml tablespoon (equal to 4 teaspoons). Check yours before measuring.
  2. For best results, you should always weigh ingredients like flour and sugar. Kitchen scales are relatively cheap but if you can’t weigh the ingredients, use the spoon and level method (don’t scoop).
  3. To shave the chocolate, make sure it is at room temperature then run a speed peeler or vegetable peeler along the edge, over and over to create small curls and shavings.
  4. Brownies are done when a toothpick comes out with a few sticky crumbs on it. They will carry-over bake in the tin.
  5. Nutrition details are approximate only – scroll below the recipe to find the full nutritional information.
MORE BROWNIES AND SLICES!
Have you tried this recipe?Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below and let me know how it was! I love hearing from you. Nutrition information is approximate and derived from an online calculator. The brands you use may cause variations.
Nutrition Facts
Black Forest Brownies
Amount Per Serving (89 g)
Calories 283 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 63mg21%
Sodium 57mg2%
Potassium 174mg5%
Carbohydrates 34g11%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 24g27%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 407IU8%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.