Fudgy Cherry Brownies

For those of you who didn't get the memo Black Forest Cake is my cake of choice.   I'm not a huge cake person but given the choice I'd pick Black Forest Cake hands down every time.  I adore it and cannot resist a piece {or three} if it's put in front of me.  What can I say ... I'm a slave to cherries, chocolate and whipped cream.

This love of Black Forest Cake (and the lonely little can of cherry pie filling sitting on my counter) propelled me to jump on the net to find a new recipe that could feed the Black Forest Cake beast that dwells within me.  I found inspiration from Sara at The Cheerful Madhouse.  Her post not only made me giggle but the recipe looked delicious and was so simple!  I love simple!  I am simple!!  Uh ... anyway.  I did make a few tweaks (complications) to Sara's original recipe and let me tell you it got rave reviews from my boys.  My mom and I even opted to eat this cake in lieu of lunch yesterday (don't judge).  Oh ya.  It was that good.

So if you're looking for a quick dessert idea with minimal prep time yet still impressive you've gotta give this a try.  Chocolate brownies with cherries built right in.  Bliss!

1 (425g) brownie mix (8x8-inch pan size)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp oil
1 1/2 cups cherry pie filling

Garnish: remaining cherry pie filling, whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 350F.  Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking pan and set aside.

Get your ingredients ready.  As you can see in the picture below I have a sea of yellow 'no-name' ingredients.  While I can't be certain that the chicken who layed the egg had a name we'll just assume that she had one and move on.  You don't need to use no-name products (obviously) but I've found that many of their products (not all, but many) are just as good as the more expensive name brands. 



Using your stand mixer (or by hand) mix all of the ingredients just until combined.  Pour into the prepared pan.  See the cherries poking through the top of the batter?!?!  Awesomesauce!

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.  Cool or serve warm.  Serve with remaining cherry pie filling and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. 

These brownies will be very moist and dotted with bites of cherries.  Di-vine!

Yield: 9 servings

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