Black Forest Brownies

Better Homes and Gardens

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Yields: 24 brownies

Ingredients

• 2 (10 ounce) jars maraschino cherries, with stems
• 1  cup  semisweet chocolate piece
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 3  eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1⁄4 cups sugar
• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1  cup white chocolate chips
• 1⁄2 cup  slivered almonds, toasted
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2⁄3 cup powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°; grease a 13 x 9 inch baking pan; set aside.
2. Drain one jar of cherries; remove stems and coarsely chop cherries.
3. Drain on paper towels; reserve remaining jar of whole cherries for garnish.
4. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine semisweet chocolate pieces and butter; microwave on HIGH for 1 minutes; stir.
5. Microwave for 10-20 seconds more or until mixture is melted.
6. Add eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla, salt, and baking powder; stir until combined.
7. Fold in chopped cherries, white baking pieces, and almonds.
8. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly.
9. Bake for 35 minutes; cool in pan on a wire rack; cut into bars.
10. Before serving, in a bowl, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar.
11. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
12. Pipe or spoon a small amount of cream cheese mixture onto each brownie.
13. Drain reserved cherries; top each brownie with a cherry.