🍒 Chewy Chocolate & Cherry Brownies (Gluten Free & Flourless)

The combination of cherries and chocolate 
elevate these chewy brownies to a
delicious level of excellence❣

Ingredients:

parchment paper

27 pitted fresh cherries, maraschino cherries or cherries**

4 eggs, at room temperature 

2 cups brown sugar (I always use dark brown)

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

1/3 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Optional Cherry Glaze Ingredients:

1 1/2 - 3 1/2 tablespoons cherry juice or syrup

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*. (325* if using a glass baking dish) Line a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with parchment paper. 

Place the cherries on paper towels to absorb excess moisture and set aside.

Beat the eggs and sugar, in a large bowl, for 3 minutes. Melt the butter and chocolate chips and stir until smooth. (On stovetop over low heat or in microwave at 30 second intervals.)

Add the melted chocolate to the large bowl and mix for one minute.

Sift the cocoa, corn starch & salt. Add the sifted ingredients and the extracts to the other mixed ingredients and blend to combine. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Cut the cherries in half and arrange cut side up on top of the batter. Sprinkle with 1/3 to 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.

Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 1 hour. 

If desired, Stir together the cherry syrup and powdered sugar to make a glaze that is drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the top of the brownies. Refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into 35 squares. Store in an airtight container.

**Fresh or maraschino cherries may be used. I used these fantastic "Amarena" cherries that I found at Trader Joe's. They are dark and very flavorful ~ definitely a step above a standard maraschino cherry!

Note: My husband and I both prefer these brownies without the optional glaze, but for Christmas, Valentine's or other special occasions the glaze is a nice addition. (For shipping or gift giving, I would definitely omit the glaze.)