Brownies are a classic picnic dessert. They’re casual, chocolate-y, easy to transport and share, and maybe a tad decadent. When two types of cherries and some chocolate chips get added to the batter, they rise to another level of summer bliss. Cherry chocolate brownies are easy to make and easier to swoon over.

The recipe for the brownies comes from a feature article titled, “Cherry Delights” by Tarla Fallgater in the June 1999 issue of Bon Appétit. Fallgatter did not stop at making fudgy brownies studded with cherries. She went on to top her brownies with a chocolate cherry sauce as well as chocolate-dipped cherries. We felt the brownies were rich enough on their own, but wonderful accompanied by fresh cherries. Later we succumbed to dipped cherry madness, but that I will get to that shortly.

Putting the Batter Together

The brownies begin with melting butter and semisweet chocolate together over low heat until they become a smooth liquid.

butter and dark chocolate for the brownies — Place chocolate squares and butter together in a small saucepan.

melted chocolate and butter for the brownies — Together, they form a smooth liquid that will go into the batter

Added to eggs, sugar, and vanilla, the chocolate creates a deeply flavored batter that chocolate chips, dried cherries, and cherry preserves make richer.

batter coming together for cherry chocolate brownies — After adding chocolate, flour mixture goes in.

adding dried cherries and chocolate chips to batter — Dried cherries and chocolate chips are followed by cherry preserves.

About a half hour later, the kitchen smells wonderful and a beautiful pan of brownies cools to room temperature.

Which Shape?

Fallgatter called for baking the brownies in an 11 X 17-inch pan, a size I don’t own. The first time I made these, I chose an 8-inch round pan and cut the brownies into wedges to serve 8. The dense, dark wedges were a little fancier than the usual brownie squares, and everyone had a generous serving.

The second time I made the brownies, I chose an 8 X 8-inch pan and cut the brownies into 16 servings. With restraint, we could each eat one, but not everyone had restraint.

Going a Step Further

Since mounds of fresh cherries are on our produce stands now, I opted to dip a few in melted dark chocolate to make the brownies even more special.

dipping a fresh cherry into chocolate — Fresh cherries go into melted dark chocolate

drying chocolate-dipped cherries — They firm up in the refrigerator.

The fresh cherry’s sweet flesh coupled with layer of rich chocolate is a worthwhile treat on its own. But in combination with the brownie, it made an even more tempting dessert.

A bite of brownie reveals a deep chocolate flavor enhanced by the chocolate chips. The dried cherries bring a tart note to the brownies while the whole cherries in the preserves deliver a sweet one. Definitely swoon-worthy.

Fresh cherry season and outside summer meals inspired these brownies, but they are really a year-round dessert. Since dried cherries and cherry preserves are available all seasons, you can make them any month you choose.