From the Sweet Everything Bakery in Rocky Ridge, Montana
Ingredients
1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and quartered
3 tbsp cherry liqueur, use simple syrup if preferred
1 cup unsalted butter
9 oz dark chocolate, 60-70% is best for this recipe
1-1/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar
4 large eggs, one separated
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
Directions
Toss the prepared cherries and the liqueur together in a small mixing bowl. Let them marinate for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
Chop the chocolate and butter into chunks and place in a heat proof mixing bowl. Add about 2-3 inches of water into a pan and bring it to a simmer. Place the mixing bowl on top of the pan making sure the water in the pan doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Melt the butter and chocolate, stirring often. When combined and melted, remove from the heat. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Using an electric mixer, whisk 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar with the light brown sugar together slightly. Then add 3 whole eggs plus one yolk, saving the white for later.
Add the room temperature melted chocolate and butter to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
Gently fold in the cocoa powder, flour, and salt until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Drain the cherries, saving the liquid in the bowl for later. Then gently mix the cherries into the batter and spread it into the bottom of the prepared pan.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the reserved cherry liquid, cream cheese, egg white, and the remaining granulated sugar. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth.
Spread cream cheese mixture onto the top of the brownie batter. Use a knife to create swirls.
Bake for 23-25 minutes. The middle will be a bit wobbly but it will firm up as it cools. Let them cool to about room temperature before cutting. Serve with ice cream or sweetened whipped cream.
Author’s Note: The town of Rocky Ridge, Montana, is the setting for my Duncan Brothers Ranch series, my Returning to Rocky Ridge series, and my Love In Rocky Ridge series. The Sweet Everything Bakery is a favorite spot in this sweet mountain town. One of their specialties is Black Forest Brownies and this is their recipe. Find out if these black forest brownies make an appearance in A Party Planner for the Cowboy.
