If you love brownies but want something with a delightful twist, Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies are the perfect treat to satisfy your chocolate cravings while adding the irresistible flavor of cherries. These chewy, fudgy cookies blend the richness of classic brownies with a burst of tartness from cherries, creating a unique dessert experience that is both gluten-free and utterly delicious. Whether for snack time, parties, or just a cozy night in, this recipe offers a wonderful new way to enjoy two beloved flavors in one easy-to-make cookie.
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Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Flourless Delight: These cookies use no flour, making them naturally gluten-free and wonderfully fudgy.
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: The brownie base is intensely chocolaty, perfect for true chocolate lovers.
- Cherry Burst: Dried or fresh cherries add a juicy sweetness that balances the deep cocoa taste.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, this recipe is easy enough for beginners.
- Perfect Texture: Chewy and dense, these cookies satisfy every brownie loverโs dream.
Ingredients Youโll Need
This Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies recipe comes together with a handful of simple ingredients, each playing a vital role in building that luscious texture and vibrant flavor.
- Dark Chocolate or Cocoa Powder: The soul of the recipe, providing deep chocolate intensity.
- Eggs: Acting as the main binder and adding richness to keep the cookies moist.
- Butter or Coconut Oil: Adds silkiness and enhances the brownie-like texture.
- Sugar: Sweetens the batter, balancing the bitterness of cocoa.
- Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor and adds aromatic warmth.
- Dried Cherries: The star of the Black Forest flair with their tangy sweetness.
- Salt: A pinch draws out all the flavors and intensifies the chocolate notes.
Variations for Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies
Feel free to personalize this recipe to fit your preferences or dietary needs. Itโs incredibly flexible and welcoming to creative twists.
- Add Nuts: Walnuts or pecans add a crunchy contrast to the fudgy softness.
- Use Fresh Cherries: For an extra juicy bite, swap dried cherries for fresh, pitted ones.
- Swap Chocolate: Try milk or white chocolate chunks to soften the intense cocoa flavor.
- Make Vegan: Use flax eggs and coconut oil instead of butter and eggs for a plant-based version.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder enhances flavor complexity beautifully.
How to Make Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies
Step 1: Melt the Chocolate and Butter
Gently melt your dark chocolate and butter together using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to avoid burning. This smooth chocolate base is the foundation for the rich brownie flavor in the cookies.
Step 2: Whisk the Eggs and Sugar
In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly fluffy, which helps give the cookies structure and balance the intense chocolate.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Carefully fold the melted chocolate mixture into the egg and sugar blend, ensuring they incorporate fully for a uniform batter thatโs thick but easy to scoop.
Step 4: Add Flavorings and Salt
Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to bring out the chocolateโs richness and balance sweetness.
Step 5: Fold in Cherries
Gently mix in dried cherries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter, so each cookie bursts with that tangy Black Forest touch.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Spoon the batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them a couple of inches apart since they will spread slightly. Bake at 325ยฐF (163ยฐC) for about 12-15 minutes until edges are set but centers remain fudgy.
Pro Tips for Making Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies
- Use Quality Chocolate: Investing in good chocolate makes a big difference in depth of flavor.
- Donโt Overbake: Remove cookies when edges set but centers look slightly underdone for the best fudgy texture.
- Room Temperature Eggs: Eggs at room temperature mix better, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Chill Your Batter: For thicker cookies, refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes before baking.
- Experiment with Cherry Types: Tart dried cherries are traditional, but feel free to try soaked or fresh for new flavor profiles.
How to Serve Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate makes these cookies look bakery-worthy and adds an extra layer of sweetness that complements the tart cherries perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair these Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of freshly brewed coffee or hot cocoa for an indulgent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment and scatter fresh cherries and mint leaves around them to bring a festive look thatโs sure to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to retain their moist, fudgy texture.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully; place them in a freezer-safe container with layers separated by parchment paper and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
Warm the cookies gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or reheat in a low oven at 300ยฐF (148ยฐC) for about 5 minutes to bring back that freshly baked softness.
FAQs
Can I substitute the dried cherries with another fruit?
Absolutely! You can use dried cranberries, raisins, or even chopped fresh strawberries depending on your taste and availability.
Are these cookies truly flourless?
Yes, this recipe uses no flour at all, relying on eggs, chocolate, and butter to create a fudgy brownie-like cookie thatโs naturally gluten-free.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Yes, by substituting eggs with flax or chia egg alternatives and using coconut oil instead of butter, you can enjoy a vegan version while maintaining texture and flavor.
How chewy will these cookies be?
They come out fudgy and chewy, with slightly crisp edges, delivering the perfect brownie-cookie hybrid texture.
Do I need to refrigerate the dough before baking?
It isnโt necessary, but chilling the dough for 20-30 minutes can help the cookies hold their shape better and result in a thicker texture.
Final Thoughts
If youโre searching for a dessert thatโs both rich in chocolate and bursting with fruity charm, the Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies are a must-try. This recipe brings the best of both worlds: all the indulgence of brownies with a fruity twist that feels fresh and exciting. So preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a decadent treat thatโs sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire!
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Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18-20 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
Black Forest Flourless Brownie Cookies are chewy, fudgy delights combining rich chocolate brownie flavors with a burst of tart cherries. Naturally gluten-free and simple to make with pantry staples, these cookies offer a decadent treat perfect for any occasion, blending indulgence with a fruity twist.
Ingredients
Chocolate Base
- 6 oz dark chocolate (or 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder as alternative)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins & Flavorings
- 1 cup dried cherries (or fresh, pitted cherries)
- Pinch of salt
Optional Variations
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt the Chocolate and Butter โ Gently melt dark chocolate and butter together using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to achieve a smooth, glossy mixture without burning.
- Step 2: Whisk the Eggs and Sugar โ In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs and sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly fluffy, which builds structure and balances the intense chocolate flavor.
- Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients โ Carefully fold the melted chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar blend, mixing gently until fully incorporated into a thick, uniform batter.
- Step 4: Add Flavorings and Salt โ Stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolateโs richness and balance the sweetness.
- Step 5: Fold in Cherries โ Gently mix dried cherries evenly throughout the batter so each cookie has bursts of tangy Black Forest flavor. Add optional nuts or spices here if desired.
- Step 6: Bake the Cookies โ Spoon the batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing cookies a couple of inches apart to allow slight spreading. Bake at 325ยฐF (163ยฐC) for 12โ15 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain fudgy.
Notes
- Use quality dark chocolate for the best flavor.
- Remove cookies from oven when edges are set but centers look slightly underdone to keep fudgy texture.
- Eggs at room temperature blend better for smooth batter.
- Chilling the batter for 20โ30 minutes before baking produces thicker cookies with better shape.
- Experiment with different cherry types: tart dried cherries are traditional, but fresh or soaked cherries add juiciness.
- Substitute dried cherries with dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped fresh strawberries for variation.
- To make vegan, replace eggs with flax eggs and use coconut oil instead of butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg