Description
These Brown-Butter Chocolate Cherry Bars combine the nutty flavor of browned butter with fresh cherries and a chocolate topping for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Crust
- 7 tbsp (105 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup (65 g) sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup plus 1 tbsp (255 ml) all purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
For the Filling
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
- 2 large eggs
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) all purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, diced
- 1 lb (450 g) sweet cherries (12 oz (340 g) of pitted cherries)
- 1 bar of semi-sweet chocolate - shaved
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut two 12-inch lengths of parchment paper and trim each to fit the 8-inch width of an 8×8-inch square baking pan. Press it into the bottom and sides of your pan in a crisscross pattern.
- To make the crust, combine 7 tbsp melted butter, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup plus 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix until the dough comes together.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
- For the filling, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Continue cooking until the butter turns a deep honey-brown color and emits a nutty aroma. Be careful not to burn it. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar and 2 large eggs until well combined. Stir in the browned butter, then add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp salt. Mix until smooth.
- Fold in the pitted and halved cherries, then pour the filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle chocolate shavings over the top of the filling.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Cut into 16 small squares and serve.
Notes
- If you taste them immediately, you will get an eggy taste and smell; but don’t worry, this will go away as the bars cool down.
- In fact, they taste much better the next day!
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Use fresh cherries for the best flavor, but frozen can be substituted if necessary.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 75
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 45