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Chocolate Chip Cherry Brownies

In an organized rush to get everything on our to-do list crossed off before we make the trek to Philly, I’ve  packed most of my beloved dishes, small appliances, pots and pans, silverware and other kitchen necessities. Already I’ve filled up about 6 large boxes aaaannnd there are probably at least 3 more to go (yes, I may have a bit of an obsession). We’re also trying to quickly plow through our remaining produce and pantry staples leaving me with a fun challenge come dinnertime each night. I’m actually kinda diggin’ it.

I’ve yet to pack my favorite brownie baking pan (because lots of brownies are an absolute must for road-tripping), and we had an excess of fresh cherries just begging to be used. And for some reason I have a ridiculous amount of chocolate chips to try and use up in 10 days time… poor me, right? ;)

So, today I decided I should bake some chocolate chip cherry brownies. These guys are easy to make and pretty darned good for you — at least compared to most other things I bake! And they have chocolate! And cherries!

Yay for brownies!

Chocolate Chip Cherry Brownies

Ingredients:

  • 12 medjool dates
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 2 1/4 cup non-dairy chocolate chips, divided
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup superfine brown rice flour
  • 1/3 cup potato starch
  • 1 cup finely chopped cherries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Lightly grease a glass  8 x 8 inch baking pan.

Combine pitted dates and non-dairy milk into food processor and puree until very smooth.

Over double boiler, melt 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips. Pour the melted chocolate into the date mixture and blend again until super smooth. Transfer to large mixing bowl and stir in vanilla extract and salt.

Add in brown rice flour and potato starch and mix until well combined. The batter will be very very very thick. Fold in cherries and remaining chocolate chips. I used clean hands to more or less knead the mix-ins into the batter.

Press batter into pan and spread as best you can to make a uniform surface on top. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Cool completely and cut into small squares.

Eat!

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32 Responses to Chocolate Chip Cherry Brownies

  1. shabab says:

    Hi just noticed this recipe and would like to try it. I am quite new to baking gluten free (or even cooking for that matter). My daughter, 7, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease about a year ago….and I am still learning the ropes. I also have another daughter, who is 11, who has tree nuts allergies (in particular almonds), peanut allergy, as well as soy allergy (not soybean oil though. So I was wondering what could replace almond milk in this recipe. I am finding it sooo hard to cook/bake where I am juggling the gluten free with the tree nut/peanut/soy allergy. I also have a son who is on the autistic spectrum with ADHD so I heard GF is good for the ADHD. I have been kind of staying with the basics with the cooking but need to venture out into baking and cooking more elaborate things (they are starting to get bored).

    • allyson says:

      Hi Shabab!

      I totally understand your frustration with all the foods you have to avoid. You could use coconut milk (either the canned or the kind in a carton) if coconuts are okay–I know some with tree nuts can’t do the coconuts either. Rice milk would also work well here. And hemp is another excellent choice… second to coconut milk in similarity to almond, I would say. Tempt brand hemp milk is one of my favorites and I cook/bake with it often. I think there is also flaxseed milk now available prepacked, although I haven’t yet tried it out myself.

      Good luck on this journey! The fun thing about it is, the more you learn, the more that seems to become available. I love how you can make flours, milks, and other staples out of so many different plants, and they all work relatively the same way. :)

      <3 allyson

  2. Suzanne says:

    Yum, that looks amazing!

  3. Laurel says:

    Made these yesterday with 1/4 tsp of almond extract along with the vanilla. They are so good! Well of course they are. I keep wondering if I’ll remember them next year during cherry season because I want to try them with almond flour, or try making them raw with ground almonds. Hmm…. Maybe I’ll get my hands on some dried cherries and make a Manifest Vegan Larabar.

  4. […] This recipe is from Manifest Vegan. […]

  5. Laurel says:

    My sweetie just handed me two bags of fresh organic cherries. I hope I can stop eating them in time to make these brownies. I hope, I hope, I hope.
    P.S. I just saw a recipe on another site that called for 1/4 tsp ground gloves. Ground gloves? I bet she wishes she had your editor. :-)

  6. So craving this with a cup of strong coffee!

  7. emma green says:

    This blog is AMAZING!!! Thankyou!!!

  8. Made these today and they are so delicious! Love the combo of cherries & chocolate. I will definitely be making these again and again!

  9. Coco says:

    These are fab! You are right, brownies are a MUST for a road trips. Good luck with the rest of your packing.

  10. Nice picture! Too bad the birds ate all our cherries!

  11. sophia says:

    wow, this recipe is awesome. it achieved perfect brownie texture, super rich and fudgy. i love the puréed dates! my GF friend and i made some vanilla ice cream to go along with our brownies and dessert was pretty smashing. thanks!

  12. Olivia says:

    ditto “yay for brownies” =) i also love cherries, this looks like an amazing mix, will have to try soon…and maybe eat with some ice cream!

  13. Beth says:

    I made these Saturday and took them to a dinner party where I was the only vegan. I didn’t say a word, and the big-time meat eater and brownie-hater ate 3 of them and asked to keep some. Bravo!

  14. Katrina says:

    Yum! What a great brownie combo!

  15. […] Chocolate Chip Cherry Brownies Like it? Share […]

  16. Mackenzie says:

    I love chocolate and cherries together but I usually eat all my cherries before they ever make it into anything else.

  17. Great brownies. with a nutty feeling of cherry and dates. I will love this.

  18. clara says:

    God, I’m drooling on my keyboard right now. Next week we have a nice get-together at my yoga studio and I’m so making these!

  19. Lauren says:

    These sound amazing! I love cherries and chocolate together, and the addition of dates is fantastic. I should make them before fresh cherries are off store shelves!

  20. Gena says:

    Oh holy yum.

    You’re philly bound? Amazing. DC is NOT far and I’d totally visit to meet you.

    • allyson says:

      Yes yes! DC is so close! Yay! :) And hey, I know I’ll be making many a visit to DC too. It’s going to be SO great with all the awesome cities and sights surrounding us. And, um, I am ridiculously excited to make your hometown a regular place to visit too! (I can’t believe I’ve never been to NYC. Yet!) <3

      • Gena says:

        Hooray! Sorry to follow up so late, but I would be thrilled to meet you on a DC visit. My pre-med class schedule is a little relentless, but I can definitely figure it out — or come to Philly on a Saturday to see you.

  21. Caitlin says:

    i am LOVING the bright pink napkin. oh, and the brownie looks pretty damn good, too ;) but, you know, you are KIND OF a big deal ;)

  22. FoodFeud says:

    These sound amazing! Cherries and dates both highlight chocolate so well and must make an amazingly chewy brownie, just the way I like em.

  23. Mandi says:

    These look so amazing. I’ve been craving brownies lately (and watermelon milkshakes). I’ll have to make these next week.

    I cannot believe you are moving to Philly! That is where I am from! You will love it there, it is such a wonderful city. If you need any protips, let me know. I’ll be home to visit in November.. we should meet up!

    • allyson says:

      awesome, Mandi! Yes, yes, yes let’s plan on a meetup! Keep me posted as the date comes closer!! Soooo cool that’s where you are from. Lucky you! We are stoked the move is so soon… hardly can contain the excitement! (can you tell from all my exclamation points? :D )

      Watermelon milkshake sounds like heaven, btw…. <3