These Black Forest Brownies are a rich, fudgy dessert with a swirl of juicy cherries and chunks of dark chocolate, inspired by the classic German Black Forest Cake. Made with wholesome ingredients like almond butter, oat flour, and applesauce, they’re naturally gluten-free and vegan, yet indulgent enough to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these brownies bring together the decadence of chocolate with the tart sweetness of cherries in every bite. The texture is wonderfully fudgy thanks to the almond butter and applesauce, while the cherries provide bursts of fruitiness that make the brownies feel special and luxurious. Plus, they’re flourless, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free, making them a feel-good treat that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Whether I’m baking for guests or just craving a little indulgence, this is one recipe I come back to often.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup or agave
1/4 cup applesauce
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup oat flour
1/3 cup chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup pitted cherries (fresh, frozen, or jarred), halved
Optional: 1–2 tbsp milk of choice, if batter is too thick
Directions
I preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, I mix the cocoa powder, almond butter, maple syrup, applesauce, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
Then, I add the oat flour and baking soda, stirring until everything is well combined. If the batter feels too thick, I stir in 1–2 tablespoons of milk.
I gently fold in the chopped chocolate and cherry halves.
Next I spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
I bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few fudgy crumbs.
Once out of the oven, I let the brownies cool completely before slicing—they firm up as they cool.
For an extra treat, I sometimes dust the top with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 9 brownies.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Calories per serving: 145 kcal
Variations
I sometimes swap the almond butter for peanut butter for a richer, nutty flavor.
If I’m in the mood for extra indulgence, I double the amount of chocolate chunks.
For a grown-up twist, I add a splash of cherry liqueur to the batter.
I’ve also tried this with raspberries instead of cherries for a slightly different fruit profile, and it worked beautifully.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, I freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, I microwave a brownie for about 15–20 seconds to bring back that fresh-baked feel.
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FAQs
What type of cherries work best in these brownies?
I use fresh, frozen, or jarred cherries—whatever I have on hand. Just make sure they’re pitted and halved. If using jarred, I drain them well to avoid excess moisture.
Can I make this recipe nut-free?
Yes, I can substitute the almond butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini to keep it nut-free while maintaining the creamy texture.
How do I know when the brownies are done?
I look for the center to be just set, and a toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs but no raw batter. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
Can I use regular flour instead of oat flour?
Yes, I can substitute all-purpose flour in equal amounts if I’m not concerned about keeping the recipe gluten-free.
Are these brownies suitable for kids?
Absolutely. They’re sweetened naturally, have no refined sugar, and are made with wholesome ingredients, which makes them a great treat for kids.
Conclusion
These Black Forest Brownies are my go-to when I want something chocolatey, fruity, and a little bit special. With a fudgy texture and rich flavor, they capture everything I love about dessert without being overly complicated. Whether I’m baking for a celebration or just for myself, they never disappoint.
📖 Recipe:
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Black Forest Brownies
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 brownies
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Black Forest Brownies are rich, fudgy, and naturally gluten-free and vegan. Swirled with juicy cherries and dark chocolate chunks, they offer a healthier twist on the classic German Black Forest Cake using wholesome ingredients like almond butter, oat flour, and applesauce.
Ingredients
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup or agave
1/4 cup applesauce
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup oat flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips
1/2 cup pitted cherries (fresh, frozen, or jarred), halved
Optional: 1–2 tbsp milk of choice, if batter is too thick
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the cocoa powder, almond butter, maple syrup, applesauce, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
- Add the oat flour and baking soda and stir until well combined. If the batter is too thick, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of milk.
- Gently fold in the chopped chocolate and cherry halves.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few fudgy crumbs.
- Let the brownies cool completely before slicing, as they firm up while cooling.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate before serving.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Freeze for up to 2 months for longer storage.
Microwave individual brownies for 15–20 seconds to reheat.
Substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free version.
Try raspberries instead of cherries for a different flavor profile.
Add a splash of cherry liqueur for a grown-up twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
