Cherry Fudge Brownies With Chocolate Sauce And Chocolate Dipped Cherries Recipes

Steps:

• Finely chop 1/2 pound dark chocolate. Combine three-quarters of the chocolate and 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate is melted; stir in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Dip 1 pound fresh cherries in the chocolate by the stems and set on parchment paper. Let harden at room temperature.

Steps:

• In a microwavable bowl, combine milk and chocolate chips. Microwave on high until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred, about 1 minute. Stir in almonds, cherries and extract. Spread evenly in a greased 8-in. square pan. Cover and chill until firm. Cut into squares. Store, covered, in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the sugar, butter, milk and extract. Knead until smooth and pliable. Shape into 1-in. balls and flatten each into a 2-in. circle. , Wrap one circle around each cherry and lightly roll in hands. Place with stems up on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. , In a microwave, melt chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Holding on to the stems, dip cherries into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in a covered container. Refrigerate 1-2 weeks before serving.

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Place chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of pan to touch water); stir until melted and smooth. Remove chocolate from over water. Holding cherry stem, dip 1 cherry halfway into chocolate. Place cherry, chocolate side down, on prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining cherries and chocolate. Chill until chocolate is firm, at least 15 minutes. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°.
• Line a 13 x 9" baking pan with foil, letting ends extend a bit over sides. Lightly coat the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• Topping: Beat together all topping ingredients in medium mixing bowl until blended and smooth. Set aside.
• Brownie: In a large microwavable mixing bowl, melt butter and chocolate using med power -- about 2 minutes---check every 45 seconds and stir. (Can also do in a saucepan over low heat.) Heat until chocolate is melted and smooth -- stir to make a smooth mixture.
• With wooden spoon, stir in sugar, vanilla and salt into melted chocolate mixture. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring briskly after each egg, until well-blended. Stir in flour.
• Spoon brownie mixture into prepared baking pan.
• Scatter heaping Tbsp of topping mixture on top of brownie mixture. Next, scatter Tbsps of cherry pir filling over top. Run tip of a knife through topping and pie filling to create a marbelized look.
• Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until brownie edges begin to pull away from sides and edges of cream cheese are slightly brown. THE CENTER WILL STILL "JIGGLE" WHEN SHAKEN EVEN WHEN THEY ARE DONE!
• Cool in pan on wire rack. When cooled, chill for at least 4 hours before cutting.
• After chilling, simply lift out by using the foil that lines the pan. Place on cutting board and cut into squares, and place into individual cupcake/muffin liners.

Steps:

• Make sauce:
• Press preserves through fine strainer into heavy medium saucepan. Add cream and bring to simmer. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm before serving.)
• Make brownies:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 11 x 7-inch metal baking pan. Stir chopped chocolate and butter in heavy small saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth; remove from heat. Whisk sugar, eggs and vanilla in medium bowl until blended; whisk in chocolate mixture. Sift in flour, baking powder and salt; stir to blend. Mix in dried cherries and chocolate chips, then preserves. Spread batter in prepared pan.
• Bake brownies until tester inserted into center comes out with some moist crumbs still attached, about 35 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack.
• Cut brownies into 8 rectangles. Cut rectangles diagonally in half, forming triangles. Spoon warm sauce onto 8 plates. Place 2 brownie triangles atop sauce on each plate. Sift powdered sugar over. Garnish with chocolate-dipped cherries.