Description
Rich chocolate meets German Black Forest cake inspiration in flourless brownie cookies, creating a gluten-free dessert marvel. Chocolate lovers discover deep cocoa intensity with cherry hints, ensuring pure indulgence awaits.
Ingredients
Scale
- 150 g (5.25 oz) dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa), chopped
- 300 g (10.5 oz) cherries, halved and pitted (fresh or frozen)
- 2 eggs (large US/medium UK), room temperature
- 150 g (0.75 cup) sugar
- 30 g (0.33 cup) Dutch processed cocoa powder
- 8 g (1 tbsp) cornstarch (cornflour)
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 70 g (0.5 stick + 1 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 50 g (0.25 cup) sugar
- 1.5 tbsps lemon juice
- 230 g (1 cup) double or heavy cream, cold
- 30–40 g (0.25–0.33 cup) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or 2 tsps vanilla extract
Instructions
- Cherry Preparation: Simmer cherries with sugar and lemon juice until softened, creating a vibrant, luxurious fruit compote.
- Thickening Process: Craft a cornstarch slurry from cherry liquid, whisking meticulously to ensure a smooth, lump-free consistency. Return to heat, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches a robust boil, developing a rich, glossy texture.
- Chocolate Foundation: Melt chocolate and butter into a silky emulsion, allowing slight cooling before integrating with whipped egg-sugar mixture. Create a pale, voluminous foam that transforms the base into an airy, decadent batter.
- Batter Refinement: Sift cocoa powder and salt into the mixture, whisking until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency. Briefly chill to enhance structural integrity and flavor concentration.
- Baking Technique: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment. Portion cookies using a two-tablespoon scoop, baking 8-9 minutes until surfaces develop a characteristic crackled finish. Rest cookies on sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.
- Cream Assembly: Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Transfer to a star-tipped piping bag for elegant application.
- Final Composition: Construct cookies by inverting base, piping cream generously, and spooning cherry compote over the surface. Crown with a second cookie for a fully assembled delicacy.
- Storage Recommendation: Preserve assembled cookies in a sealed refrigerated container, maintaining optimal freshness for 3-4 days. Serve chilled for maximum flavor intensity and textural balance.
Notes
- Chill Batter Strategically: Resting the chocolate mixture for 6-8 minutes helps develop a more refined, fudgy cookie texture.
- Handle Delicate Cookies Carefully: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to prevent breaking, ensuring structural integrity.
- Check Cherry Consistency Critically: Verify filling thickness by chilling a small portion on a plate, adjusting liquid reduction for perfect spreadability.
- Serve with Temperature Intention: Open-faced or fully assembled serving styles dramatically impact flavor balance and overall dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg