Black Forest Chocolate Brownies - Humbly Homemade (2024)

These Black Forest brownies are super fudgy and delicious! A homemade cherry sauce is swirled on top of the brownie batter, adding a fruity flavor to the rich chocolate. And for a classic Black Forest cake look and taste, top your brownies with whipped cream and shaved chocolate!
For more Black Forest recipes, try Black Forest Bundt Cake, Black Forest sheet cake, and Black Forest cupcakes!

Traditional Black Forest cake is called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte in German, which translates to "Black Forest Cherry Cake". It's made of chocolate cake soaked in cherry brandy called Kirsch, made with dark cherries from the Black Forest.

Whipped cream, shaved chocolate curls, and fresh cherries are the traditional toppings on Black Forest cake. By adding these onto rich, fudgy brownies topped with dark cherry sauce, you get all the nostalgic flavors of Black Forest cake, in brownie form!

Plus these brownies are way easier to make than a full-blown layer cake!

Growing up in Germany, my sister and I would often glance past elaborate cakes and tortes, and opt for simpler, more kid-friendly desserts. And if we weren't eating fruit tarts or cookies, we'd usually be making brownies. 🙂

To me, nothing beats a fudgy homemade brownie. And the fruity cherry sauce swirled into the batter of these Black Forest brownies takes this classic treat to a whole new level!

Ingredients & Notes

Brownies

• Chocolate chips- Melted chocolate makes brownies more fudgy and moist.
• Vegetable oil - Makes brownies more tender and moist compared to melted butter.
• Eggs - Binds the ingredients together and helps the brownies rise in the oven, sincere there aren't other leavening agents.
• Vanilla extract - Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Granulated sugar - Sweetens the batter. You can replace half the granulated sugar with brown sugar for an added caramel-like flavor.
• All purpose flour - Provides the base structure for the brownies.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder - Adds a rich chocolate flavor. You can use Dutch-processed cocoa powder, but I don't recommend using natural cocoa powder which is more acidic.
• Salt - Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. I recommend using fine sea salt or non-iodized table salt for the best flavor.
• Espresso powder- Enhances the flavor of the chocolate without adding a coffee flavor. You can also use ground instant coffee.

Cherry Sauce

• Dark cherries- You can find canned dark cherries in syrup in the canned fruit section of many grocery stores. Or substitute fresh cherries and a little water to the pan.
• Cornstarch - Thickens the cherry sauce so it doesn't add too much liquid to the batter.
• Granulated sugar - Technically optional to sweeten the cherry sauce. I've made these brownies without sweetening the cherries, and it was still delicious!

How to Make Black Forest Brownies

1. Measure 3 tablespoons of syrup from the canned cherries into a bowl. Add the cornstarch and whisk to combine.

3. Add the cornstarch mix to the cherries. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Set aside to cool.

5. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate at 30-second intervals in the microwave.

7. Mix in the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and espresso powder.

9. Spoon the cherry filling on top. Use a butter knife to swirl the cherry sauce into the batter.

11. Let it cool in the pan fully. Use the edges of the parchment paper to lift the brownie out of the pan, then slice.

13. Sift in the powdered sugar. Beat on low speed until the powdered sugar is mixed in. Continue whipping the mixture until it thickens and forms stiff peaks.

2. Pour the rest of the can of cherries & syrup with the sugar into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat.

4. Line an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper so it hangs over the sides.

6. In a large bowl, whisk the melted chocolate, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla.

8. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.

10. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the brownie comes out clean.

12. In a mixing bowl with an electric hand whisk, whip the heavy cream and vanilla extract until it forms soft peaks.

14. Slice the brownies & remove from the pan. Top with whipped cream, shaved chocolate, and extra cherry sauce or fresh cherries.

Recipe Tips

• To tell if the brownies are done, a toothpick should come out mostly clean, with some crumbs sticking to it. You don’t want a toothpick inserted into the center to come out totally clean, otherwise your brownies will be dry once they cool.
• For perfect slices, wait until the brownies cool completely. If you slice brownies while they’re still warm, they’ll be crumbly and fall apart at the edges.
• For the whipped cream, put your mixing bowl and beaters in the fridge for 30 minutes before whipping the heavy cream. This will help it whip better.
• To get the perfect chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler to shave a bar or block of cold chocolate directly onto the whipped cream.

Recipe Variations

• Add a tablespoon of Kirsch (cherry brandy) to the cherry sauce for a more authentic Black Forest flavor.
• Top these Black Forest brownies with vanilla ice cream for brownies a la mode.
• Fold chocolate chips into the brownie batter for extra chocolate flavor.
• While it’s not traditional to add nuts, my parents love nuts in their brownies, so you can fold chopped walnuts or hazelnuts into the batter.

Storing Tips

• Brownies: Allow the brownies to cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wait to top the brownies with whipped cream until right before serving them.
• Cherry Sauce: You can make the cherry sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Whipped Cream: You can make the whipped cream ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a day. If it becomes runny, add a little more powdered sugar and whip it again to thicken it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh cherries for the cherry sauce?

Yes, you can make the cherry sauce with fresh cherries. Remove the stems and pits and add a few tablespoons of water to the saucepan, since the cherries will need some liquid without the syrup.

Can I substitute frozen cherries?

Yes, you can use frozen cherries to make the homemade cherry sauce. Follow the same instructions as using fresh cherries above, and cook them a little longer from frozen.

How do you cut brownies to get clean edges?

First, let your brownies cool completely to room temperature. Second, run a sharp kitchen knife under hot water for about 15 seconds, then wipe it dry. Slice your brownie, then repeat getting it hot and drying it for each slice.

Can I bake this in a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan?

Your brownies will be a lot thinner if you bake them in a larger 9 x 13 pan, so decrease the baking time. I recommend using an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 square pan for thick, fudgy brownies.

How do you get a crinkly top on brownies?

Whipping eggs and sugar before adding the rest of the batter ingredients creates shiny, crinkly brownie tops. But since these brownies are covered in whipped cream, this step isn’t necessary.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes