Irresistible White Chocolate Cherry Brownies: The Ultimate Gooey Dessert Recipe
Imagine sinking your teeth into a thick, intensely fudgy brownie, its rich chocolate flavor perfectly complemented by bursts of sweet, tart maraschino cherries and creamy white chocolate chips. This isn’t just a dream; it’s the reality of these phenomenal White Chocolate Cherry Brownies. A truly decadent treat that promises to satisfy any craving for something extraordinary.
The calendar often whispers about upcoming holidays, and as of late, Valentine’s Day seems to be everywhere. It’s a day that evokes strong feelings, and I’m curious – how many of you genuinely celebrate it? For some, it’s a cherished tradition; for others, perhaps, it’s just another Tuesday.
Pardon my brief moment of mild cynicism, but personally, I’ve never fully embraced the grand spectacle of Valentine’s Day. Do I appreciate beautiful jewelry? Absolutely! Who wouldn’t? But my preference is for such thoughtful gestures to arrive throughout the year, not confined to a single designated day. One day simply doesn’t feel like enough to celebrate love, appreciation, or even the joy of receiving a shiny gift!
My honest perspective is that Valentine’s Day predominantly serves the interests of florists with their exorbitant rose prices, producers of all things pink and red, jewelers showcasing their latest sparkle, and fancy restaurants demanding reservations months in advance. And, of course, there’s chocolate – which, I must admit, is the one aspect I truly adore, regardless of the occasion.
You can label me as unromantic, a “hater,” or even say I lack festive spirit when it comes to this particular holiday. But in my humble opinion, Valentine’s Day often feels a bit… overhyped. It’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s perfectly alright.
However, despite my reservations about the commercialism of Valentine’s Day, I am certainly not opposed to baking for the occasion. In fact, baking is a year-round passion for me, so any excuse to whip up something delicious is always welcome. And when it comes to holiday baking, especially one associated with love and indulgence, chocolate is almost always at the forefront. It’s an undeniable pairing, much like sprinkles and donuts. Could you enjoy one without the other? Sure, but why on earth would you want to miss out on that perfect synergy?
Let me share my playful theory behind the origins of Valentine’s Day. I think it’s a fairly reasonable, dare I say, almost believable story. Picture this: The major chocolate companies, way back when, perhaps not FaceTiming (since that technology was centuries away – scratch that detail!), but rather gathering their horse-drawn carriages and meeting up somewhere like the dusty Oregon Trail. There, amidst the pioneering spirit, they concocted a touching, somewhat tragic tale about a saint named Valentine. This saint, they claimed, was imprisoned for the audacious act of performing marriage ceremonies. How this tale directly connects to the consumption of vast quantities of chocolate, one can only guess. Yet, we, the eager consumers, “ate it up” (pun intended!), and thus, Valentine’s Day, as we know it, was gloriously born. A brilliant marketing stroke, if you ask me!
Whether you embrace Valentine’s Day with open arms or choose to observe it from a distance, there’s one thing you absolutely need in your life: these incredible brownies. Seriously. Ladies, as you savor each bite of this rich, gooey perfection, you might find that thoughts of men and the entire Valentine’s Day charade simply melt away. It’s as if they cease to exist. You’ll realize you no longer *need* a grand romantic gesture or a partner, because all you’ll truly desire is just another one of these brownies. Honestly, when faced with such exquisite chocolate bliss, romance can feel undeniably overrated. These brownies are a self-love experience unto themselves.
The heart of these brownies is a symphony of flavor and texture. Each square boasts an irresistibly oozing, deeply chocolatey center, generously studded with the vibrant sweetness of chopped maraschino cherries. But we didn’t stop there! To truly elevate the cherry experience, I took the liberty of adding a touch of maraschino cherry juice directly into the batter. Because, as the saying goes, if some is good, more has to be better, especially when it comes to infusing that delightful fruity essence. And because layers of rich chocolate are always superior, we’ve included a generous amount of creamy white chocolate chips, which melt beautifully, adding pockets of smooth, contrasting sweetness to every bite. This combination creates a truly unique and memorable brownie that stands out from the crowd.
Achieving those perfectly clean-cut brownie squares, the kind that look like they belong in a professional bakery display, requires one crucial, often frustrating step: patience. Yes, I know. Waiting is rarely the preferred choice when a tray of warm, fragrant brownies is just begging to be devoured. However, sometimes we must do things we’d rather not, all in the name of culinary perfection. The key here is allowing your brownies to cool *completely* before attempting to slice them with a serrated knife. This patience will be richly rewarded.
Let’s reiterate this vital point: perfectly formed brownie squares are the result of thoroughly cooled brownies. Attempting to cut into warm brownies, no matter how tempting, will invariably result in a glorious, albeit messy, blob of chocolate. While still delicious, it won’t have that neat, satisfying presentation. So, muster all your willpower, let those brownies cool down fully, and then slice them with pride. You’ll thank yourself for it.
And because the people, quite rightly, often demand festive themes, especially around holidays, I topped these glorious brownies with a scattering of adorable mini heart sprinkles. It’s a simple touch that adds a pop of color and a playful nod to the occasion. You’re welcome for the extra touch of visual delight! These brownies are not just a dessert; they are an experience, perfect for sharing (or not!) and celebrating life’s sweet moments.
White Chocolate Cherry Brownies
These brownies are a true masterpiece of texture and flavor: thick, incredibly gooey, and infused with a rich buttery essence. Each bite is loaded with sweet, chopped maraschino cherries and delightful pockets of creamy white chocolate chips. This recipe yields a truly irresistible homemade dessert, perfect for any occasion that calls for something special and utterly delicious.
Yield: 1 (9-by-9-inch) pan
Total Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
⅔ cup dark chocolate chips (high-quality recommended for best flavor)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice (from the jar)
⅔ cup + 2 tablespoons white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour for a softer texture)
½ tsp. kosher salt
½ cup maraschino cherries, well-drained and finely chopped
½ cup white chocolate chips (good quality melting chips work best)
Festive sprinkles, optional (for a decorative touch)
Directions:
1. Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9-by-9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper overlaps on two sides to create “slings” for easy removal. Lightly spray the entire pan, including the parchment, with a non-stick baking spray. This helps prevent sticking and ensures a clean lift once cooled.
2. Melt the Chocolate: In a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (a double boiler), melt the dark chocolate chips until completely smooth and glossy. Be careful not to let the water touch the bottom of the bowl. Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat and allow the chocolate to cool slightly for a few minutes.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and eggs vigorously for about 1 minute, until the mixture becomes slightly pale in color and thickened. This step incorporates air, contributing to the brownie’s texture. Next, whisk in the melted and slightly cooled butter, vanilla extract, and the vibrant maraschino cherry juice until everything is well combined and smooth.
4. Incorporate Chocolate and Cherries: Pour the slightly cooled melted chocolate into the wet ingredient mixture and whisk until fully incorporated, creating a rich, uniform chocolate base. Then, using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the finely chopped maraschino cherries. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour) and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding them in with your rubber spatula until *just* combined. Overmixing the flour can lead to tough brownies, so stop as soon as no streaks of flour remain.
6. Fold in White Chocolate Chips: Finally, gently fold in the white chocolate chips. You want them distributed throughout the batter without crushing them.
7. Bake: Pour the luscious brownie batter into your prepared 9×9-inch pan, spreading it evenly with the spatula. If using, sprinkle with festive sprinkles now. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking, as this can result in dry brownies.
8. Cool Completely: This step is critical for perfect brownies! Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before carefully transferring them, using the parchment slings, to a wire rack to cool completely. For the best, cleanest cuts, let them cool for several hours, or even chill them in the refrigerator for an hour. Once the brownies are completely cool and firm, use a serrated knife to cut them into neat squares.
***The Golden Rule for Brownie Perfection: It is absolutely essential that you allow these brownies to cool completely before attempting to cut them. If you try to slice them while they are still warm, their delicate, gooey structure will crumble, resulting in a beautiful mess rather than defined squares. Patience truly is a virtue in this recipe, and it will be rewarded with perfectly structured, irresistibly fudgy brownies!
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.
Today, I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with the wonderful #HolidayFoodParty group to bring you not just my delightful White Chocolate Cherry Brownies, but also an array of other epic Valentine’s Day-themed recipes from some incredibly talented bakers and food bloggers. This collaboration is all about celebrating delicious food and shared culinary creativity, proving that no matter how you feel about a particular holiday, there’s always an excuse for good food!
Explore these other fantastic dessert ideas to find more inspiration for your next baking adventure, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or simply to indulge your sweet tooth:
1. Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Hi Hat Cupcakes (Gluten Free) from Pineapple and Coconut
2. Frosted Cream Cheese Cutout Cookies from Magnolia Days
3. White Chocolate Mousse with Frangelico from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
4. Chocolate Caramel Pretzel ‘n Chip Tart from Gotta Get Baked
5. White Chocolate Cherry Brownies from The Messy Baker
6. Chocolate Champagne Cupcakes from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
7. Sugar-Free Blueberry Yogurt Truffles from What Smells So Good
8. Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Pie from Hungry Couple NYC
9 Red Velvet Heart Sandwich Cookies from Jen’s Favorite Cookies
10. Chocolate Cannoli Cones from Created By Diane
11. Cherry Cheesecake Stuffed Cupcakes from Chocolate Moosey
12. Nutella Brownie Cheesecake No-Churn Ice Cream from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
13. Valentines Smores Hearts from Kelly Bakes
14. Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies from Roxana’s Home Baking