Cherry-Chocolate Fudge Brownies
If you’re a brownie lover (duh) and appreciate the delectable combo of chocolate and cherry, this variation is for you.
When you combine fudgy brownies with antioxidant-rich cherries, dessert magic happens. These Chocolate-Cherry Brownies are rich, gooey, and studded with bursts of sweet-tart fruit that cut through the deep chocolate. It’s a match made in heaven (and a favorite in my house—my husband Ian insists the cherry version is the only way to go).
Brownie bliss with a cherry twist
- Double the decadence: Gooey chocolate meets juicy bursts of cherry in every bite.
- One-bowl wonder: Just stir, bake, and enjoy—no fancy tools required.
- Better-for-you twist: Made with whole-wheat flour, applesauce, cocoa powder, and maple syrup—no butter, no granulated sugar.
The base is my go-to fudgy brownie recipe, made with maple syrup and applesauce instead of granulated sugar and butter. Then, I fold in frozen pitted cherries (pre-thawed and chopped) for a pop of natural sweetness and pretty ruby flecks throughout. Every bite is indulgent yet balanced—intense chocolate with a juicy surprise. And yes, I tested one warm from the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream… So. Freaking. Good. Trust me, this recipe will score you major brownie points with your crew (pun intended, lol).
If you’re as smitten with the cherry–chocolate duo as we are in my house, you’ll want to keep the party going with a few more of our favorites. Try my Chewy Chocolate-Cherry Oatmeal Cookies for a soft-baked treat that feels like a hug in your belly; my Fudgy Chocolate-Cherry Mud Cake when you need an over-the-top, decadent dessert; and my playful Chocolate-Cherry Ice Cream Sandwiches with Vanilla—the ultimate frozen treat that’s fun for kids and adults alike. Cherries and chocolate are truly a match made in dessert heaven!
Breakfast that tastes like dessert: Cherry Baked Oats!
Cherry-Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour, or all-purpose
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tsp instant coffee powder
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup applesauce
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, more for sprinkling on top
- 1 to 1.5 cups pitted cherries, chopped*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line with an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder, instant coffee, salt and baking powder, and whisk until well combined.
- Add the eggs, maple syrup and applesauce to the dry ingredients. Stir to form a creamy batter, being thoughtful to not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped cherries.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and jiggle it to evenly distribute throughout the pan. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips over the top, if you’d like. Bake in the oven on the middle rack for 35 minutes. This will result in super-moist gooey brownies.
- For cakier, firmer brownies, bake for an extra few minutes. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
