Cherry Brownies

Rich, fudgy, and packed with chocolate and cherry flavor, these Cherry Brownies are an easy twist on classic brownies. The batter is filled with milk chocolate chips and juicy Starlino maraschino cherries, swirled with cherry syrup before baking, then finished with even more cherries and syrup once cooled.

They’re deeply chocolatey, perfectly fudgy, and the sweet cherry flavor makes them feel a little extra special. They’re the perfect late summer treat for when you want homemade chocolatey goodness without all the extra work.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich and fudgy brownie texture
• Packed with chocolate and cherry flavor
• Made with juicy maraschino cherries
• Cherry syrup is swirled directly into the batter
• No mixer required
• Easy to make in one bowl
• Perfect for holidays, special occasions, or whenever you’re craving chocolate and cherries

Ingredient Notes

Neutral Oil
Oil keeps these brownies extra moist and fudgy. Use a light-tasting oil such as canola or avocado oil so it doesn’t compete with the chocolate flavor.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder gives the brownies their deep chocolate flavor without making the batter overly heavy.

Milk Chocolate Chips
Milk chocolate chips add little pockets of creamy chocolate throughout the brownies. You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips if you prefer a slightly less sweet brownie.

Maraschino Cherries
I use Starlino maraschino cherries for these brownies. Drain them well before chopping and folding them into the batter so excess liquid doesn’t affect the brownie texture.

Cherry Syrup
Don’t discard the syrup from the cherry jar. A little gets swirled into the brownie batter before baking, then more is drizzled over the finished brownies.

Tips for the Best Cherry Brownies

Drain the cherries well.
Too much excess syrup added directly with the cherries can make the brownie batter overly wet.

Don’t overmix the flour.
Once the flour is added, fold only until no dry streaks remain. Overmixing can make brownies more cakey and tough.

Use a light hand when swirling the syrup.
You want ribbons of cherry syrup throughout the top rather than completely mixing it into the brownie batter.

Don’t overbake.
For fudgy brownies, remove them from the oven when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. A completely clean toothpick usually means they’ve baked a little too long.

Cool before topping.
Let the brownies cool completely before adding the extra cherries and cherry syrup so the topping stays pretty rather than melting into the warm brownies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different brand of maraschino cherries?

Yes. Starlino cherries are my preference for this recipe, but another good-quality maraschino cherry will work.

Can I use semi-sweet chocolate chips?

Absolutely. Semi-sweet chocolate chips will make the brownies slightly less sweet and give them a deeper chocolate flavor.

How do I know when the brownies are finished baking?

The edges should look set while the center remains soft. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs attached rather than wet batter.

Can I leave out the cherry syrup swirl?

You can, but the syrup adds extra cherry flavor throughout the brownies and is one of the things that makes this recipe special.

Should I refrigerate these brownies?

They can be kept at room temperature for a short period, but because they’re topped with additional cherries and syrup, I prefer storing them covered in the refrigerator for longer storage.

Storage

Store the brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.

For the best texture, allow refrigerated brownies to sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before serving.

Freezing

For freezing, I recommend freezing the brownies before adding the final cherry and syrup topping.

Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then add the cherries and syrup before serving.

Tools You’ll Need

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• 8-inch square baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Silicone spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Digital kitchen scale
• Starlino Maraschino Cherries

Ingredients

• ½ cup (120 ml) neutral oil, such as canola or avocado oil
• 1 1/4 cup (250 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup (42 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup (90 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup milk chocolate chips
• Starlino maraschino cherries, drained and roughly chopped, plus more for topping
• Cherry syrup from the Starlino jar, for swirling and topping

Instructions

1. Prepare the pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang along the sides to easily lift out the brownies.

2. Mix the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and granulated sugar until combined. Add the eggs, water, and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.

3. Add the dry ingredients
Add the cocoa powder and salt and whisk until incorporated.

4. Fold in the flour
Add the flour and fold with a silicone spatula just until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.

5. Add the chocolate and cherries
Fold in the milk chocolate chips and chopped Starlino maraschino cherries until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

6. Fill the pan
Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.

7. Swirl in the cherry syrup
Spoon small amounts of cherry syrup over the surface of the batter. Use a knife or toothpick to gently swirl the syrup through the top of the brownies.

8. Bake

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking for the fudgiest texture.

9. Cool completely
Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper.

10. Finish and serve
Top the cooled brownies with additional Starlino maraschino cherries and drizzle with more cherry syrup. Slice and serve.