Black Forest Brownies

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling
Yield 3 dozen
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Although I enjoy sweets, other recipes have failed me (I'm a beginning baker). But not this one! It's easy, and the ingredients are always on hand. Even my boyfriend, who doesn't like most sweets, can't pass these brownies.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, cubed
  • 1 cup baking cocoa
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts
  • ICING:
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 6 tablespoons baking cocoa
  • 1/4 cup 2% milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chopped nuts

Directions

  1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter; stir in cocoa until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Stir in extracts and chocolate mixture. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to chocolate mixture. Stir in cherries and nuts. Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan.
  2. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (do not overbake).
  3. Meanwhile, for icing, in a large bowl, combine the butter, confectioners' sugar, cocoa, milk and vanilla until smooth; spread over hot brownies. Sprinkle with nuts. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
Although I enjoy sweets, other recipes have failed me (I'm a beginning baker). But not this one! It's easy, and the ingredients are always on hand. Even my boyfriend, who doesn't like most sweets, can't pass these brownies.
Recipe Creator

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