It’s a little difficult to post a brownie recipe thinking it’s going to be the best out there. There are so many recipes and so many variations that I’m not going to pretend this is a novel dessert idea. However, once you’ve found your favourite base recipe (mine are the Baked brownies), the fun is to mix it up isn’t it?
In the summertime, why not make the best of fresh cherries and add them to the mix? These cherries are the perfect surprise in the middle of a brownie square as is a little swirled dulce de leche. Creamy, sweet and smooth, dulce de leche is a great ingredient to spice up everyday brownies. Try a nice organic brand to use in these and some bittersweet chocolate and you’re done! In the summertime, I cut these into small bite size pieces and serve them on a platter next to some fresh fruit.
Fresh Cherry and Dulce de Leche Brownies
Makes 16 small squares
3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of dark unsweetened cocoa powder
5.5 ounces of dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 stick of unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup of fresh cherries, pitted and halved
1/3 cup of dulce de leche
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the sides and bottom of a 9-by-13 inch glass or light colored metal baking pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, and cocoa powder.
Put the chocolate and butter in a large bowl and set it over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth. Turn off the heat, but keep the bowl over the water and add the sugars. Whisk until completely combined, then remove the bowl from the pan and let the mixture come back to room temperature.
Add the eggs to the chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined. Do not overbeat the batter at this stage.
Sprinkle the flour mixture over the chocolate mixture. Using a spatula (not a whisk) fold the flour mixture into the chocolate until just a bit of the flour mixture is visible.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Add the dulce de leche in small batches ontop of different areas of the brownie batter. Using a knife, making swirling motions to lightly mix the dulce de leche and brownie batter and create a swirling effect. Dulce de leche strands should remain on the entire top of the brownie. Disperse the cherries ontop of the batter. Add the remaining batter and gently smooth out the top making sure it covers the cherries and dulce de leche.
Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few moist crumbs sticking to it. Let the brownies cool completely, then cut them into squares and serve.
Tightly covered with plastic wrap, the brownies kept at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Enjoy the read!
Karen@mignardise
July 14, 2010 at 12:00 pm (14 years ago)The Baked brownie is my favorite too. Love the idea of cherries and dulce de leche!
Justin
July 14, 2010 at 1:52 pm (14 years ago)i’m putting these on my must-try list, although i guess i’ve never bought dulce de leche before. i assume they just sell it in some markets?
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
July 14, 2010 at 2:21 pm (14 years ago)I’ve made a dulce de leche variation of my favorite cocoa brownies and loved them, but the addition of cherries is inspired.
Amanda
July 14, 2010 at 7:24 pm (14 years ago)They look marvelous. I LOVE cherries, and dulce de leche? Fabulous!
smalltownoven
July 14, 2010 at 11:25 pm (14 years ago)Excellent idea! I’m trying to buy and try all the wonderful produce out on stands these days. It’s such a great time of year! Sticking some fruit into brownies is a fabulous way to use some fruit up. I like the dulce de leche spin on the brownies too! Yum!
DessertForTwo
July 14, 2010 at 11:55 pm (14 years ago)This looks like THE perfect brownie recipe. I can’t wait to try it!
pigpigscorner
July 15, 2010 at 8:00 am (14 years ago)You got me at dulce de leche! Awesome addition to the brownies!
Patricia Scarpin
July 15, 2010 at 10:11 am (14 years ago)Jen, this is fabulous! I love fresh cherries in just about anything and can’t wait to try them in brownies – delicious!
Anna
July 15, 2010 at 10:31 am (14 years ago)Woa! That looks fantasticly over the top. With a cherry on top 😀 Definitely a must try.
Sanura
July 15, 2010 at 3:18 pm (14 years ago)The cherries are definitely the surprise taste in this recipe.
zoom yummy
July 16, 2010 at 9:05 am (14 years ago)I love brownies SO MUCH! The ones you’ve made look absolutely delicious. What a great idea with the cherries! Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂 Petra
Chef Dennis
July 17, 2010 at 7:25 am (14 years ago)what a wonderful combination of flavors in these delectable brownies! I would love a few of these right now!
LunaCafe
July 18, 2010 at 4:05 pm (14 years ago)These look fantastic! Bar chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder used together is a winning combo in brownies. And cherries too, oh wow! …Susan
marla {family fresh cooking}
July 18, 2010 at 4:08 pm (14 years ago)Oh how I love how many flavors you add to these brownies. Cherries belong in everything these days, they add so much to sweets and savories.The dulce de leche is one of my all time favorites! xo
Chocolate Wedding Favors
July 19, 2010 at 3:40 am (14 years ago)Yes there are lots of variations of brownies posted in different blogs and lots of them have different taste depending on the person who baked it. So don’t worry, if you think that its your best brownies then it should be…!
zurin
July 20, 2010 at 11:42 am (14 years ago)Oh those brownies look decadent. I was thinking of making brownies with dulce de leche but oooohhhhh there go all the calories…into my thighs. but I think its worth it. lovely pics!n tq for dropping by 🙂
Peggy
July 23, 2010 at 10:17 am (14 years ago)Would have never thought to put those two together but I bet it’s just marvelous!
Hazel
July 25, 2010 at 1:02 pm (14 years ago)Oh my, this is the second time I have seen dulce de leche brownies in the past month, I simply MUST try them now! And cherries too? Perfection!
Grace
July 29, 2010 at 11:16 am (14 years ago)I have a favourite all-time brownie recipe but am always looking for a new or better base recipe, why I never thought to enhance the recipe is beyond me. Cherries and dulce de leche will be a great addition and a welcome variation. Thank you!