The softest, most dense, and flavorful brownie experience you can have while being totally gluten-free and sugar-less.
Cherry Bomb (shell) Brownies
Or as I like to call them—the only brownies I’ll ever make again.
No exceptions! Even if I have to drive to Traverse City, Michigan because there’s a freak cherry shortage causing all cherry shipments to be halted. THAT is how serious I am about these brownies.
I would literally go BACK to Michigan (my home state) to plunder the cherry capital of the world. So basically, they are amazing.
Cherry Brownie Basics
Honestly, I’m embarrassed at what I used to pass off as a brownie recipe. Small squares of chocolate trash in comparison to this friggin dream-brownie recipe.
It has all of the ingredients of my previously favorite fudgy brownie recipe, but because of the magical properties of cherries, we have achieved a higher level of fudginess that cannot be denied.
A brownie nirvana, if you will.
Batter Habits
Mixing batter for gluten-free desserts isn’t like mixing batter for wheat flour desserts. You don’t have to worry about overmixing, or the order of ingredients, or getting e.coli from eating raw batter. It’s just almonds!
I don’t worry about raw eggs. If they’re good enough for Rocky, they’re good enough for me.
As you can see these are a thing of raw beauty from start to finish.
Bake them and they just keep getting hotter. But in like a sexy way, not just temperature-wise.
Can you even believe the consistency of these brownies? And the GIRTH? I hate to say it, but you may have to share a few because this batch is fulllll.
In summation, I hope I’ve persuaded you to disavow all other brownie varieties and pledge allegiance to the magnificence that is the Cherry Chocolate Brownie.
If not, here’s a photo that should seal the deal…
😁
- White Chocolate Gingerbread Brownie Bark
- Keto Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
- {The Original} Rich & Fudgy Keto Brownies
The Best keto Cherry Chocolate Brownies
The best and fudgiest keto brownies ever...plus they have cherries in 'em.
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp Butter
- 4 oz Lily's Dark Chocolate Baking Chips
- 1/2 cup Almond Flour
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp Dutched Cocoa Powder
- 1 cup Allulose, or 3/4 cup Erythritol *see notes*
- 2 tbsp Ground Flaxseed meal
- 1/4 tsp Xanthan Gum
- Pinch Salt
- 2 large Eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Frozen Dark Sweet Cherries, thawed drained and halved
- 2 oz Lily's Milk Chocolate Chips, optional plus more to top
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment. Crack the two eggs in a bowl to let them get closer to room temp and set your cherries out to thaw.
- Melt the butter in a microwave for 25 seconds in a glass bowl. Add the chocolate chips to the hot butter and stir until all of the chips are melted. Set aside.
- Whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener (allulose or erythritol), ground flax, xanthan gum, and a pinch of salt.
- Beat in the eggs with a fork or a hand mixer until combined. Pour in the warm chocolate-butter mixture and stir. The batter will become very thick.
- Make sure your cherries are mostly drained of any excess liquid and slice each in half. Fold in the cherries and additional chocolate chips (if using) and spread into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 17-20 minutes and check for browning at the edges. The brownies are done when the center is still soft but doesn't jiggle.
- Remove from the oven and, if you are fancy, sprinkle a handful more of chocolate chips and let them melt. Slice and enjoy!
IF you decide to put these in the fridge (I never do) they will get really firm since butter and chocolate are firm up when cold. Just let them return to room temp or microwave them to get the soft fudgy texture back!
Notes
Sweetener: The best keto sweetener for soft brownies is Allulose! But don't let that keep you from making these brownies. To substitute other sweeteners, just remember they do not swap equally! Erythritol is sweeter, therefore you use about 1/4 less.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 brownies Serving Size 1 large brownieAmount Per Serving Calories 168Total Fat 14gCarbohydrates 12gNet Carbohydrates 5gFiber 7gProtein 4g
Gentle nudge to add the vanilla to the wet ingredients in the directions. The first time I made these I forgot the vanilla because I was just following the directions. And by the way, fresh cherries are WONDERFUL this fabulous recipe!
I know, I need a copy editor!! I’m a good cook but a terrible proof reader 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the brownies!!
I have intestinal issues with allulose. I use BochaSweet. It results in softer, moist finished product similar to allulose.
I cannot use flax. Would chia seed work?
I think chia would work but it would also give a slightly different texture! Check out my other brownie recipe that doesn’t use flax also! It does call for erythritol but sub bochasweet and adjust the bake time (as they might take longer to set up)! https://www.inspectorgorgeous.com/rich-fudgy-keto-brownies/
I made these and they are the best keto brownies I’ve made. The cherries make them moist. I think next time I make them I might try a different kind of berries like strawberry or blueberries. I’ve made other keto brownies and threw them away because they were so dry. This is a great idea. Also I love the pumpkin donuts.
I’ve had this happen before with allulose, so I’m wondering if it is an allulose issue. Freshly-bought bag, but sometimes you never know. Your recipe tastes wonderful at least! Served with whipped cream like a pudding cake.
That’s exactly the issue! Allulose will keep baked goods soft vs Erythritol (Swerve) which hardens. Phew! Glad to know the issue and I’ll update the recipe. Thank you for the feedback and your response!
These didn’t set up at all. Completely mush, even after doubling the baking time. I am an experienced baker and am really disappointed in this, not sure how to fix them, they didn’t set up at all. Cherries were completely drained to the point of me thinking they might be too dry because I patted them off, not the case I guess. I made this exact to the recipe.
Hi Erin, I’m sorry these didn’t work out! I know that they are very fugdy but they should have set up by the time they cooled. Retesting these again today to see if I can troubleshoot what went wrong and I’ll post an update.
I only have unsweetened cocoa. What would adjustment
be for sweetner?
This recipe is intended for unsweetened cocoa powder! You are all set!
Is there a way I could make these with fresh cherries? Would just pitting them and chopping them up be enough, or would I need to cook them a little to reduce the liquid in them? The fresh cherries this time of year are hard to pass up when they start to go on sale!
I would say yes to cooking them a bit, at least to soften the flesh a bit. Frozen cherries are soft and juicy when thawed and that adds to the nice texture of the brownie. I have never tested it that way, but I would cook them down a bit and let them cool, then go ahead with the recipe 😃
I’m sure they’ll be delicious…the batter was. Making for a fellow Keto co-worker’s birthday. She loves all things cherry.
Can’t go wrong with chocolate and cherries! Please let me know how they turn out for you!
What can I use in place of the ground flaxseed meal?
You can replace it with more almond flour if needed! The brownies might be a little fudgier since the flax absorbs moisture
I ground up some brown flax seeds that I had, but I forgot to out in the vanilla. Am I missing it somewhere in the directions? I read again, but don’t see it. I had it out on the table too. 😊
Ahh yes I will add it! It goes in with the wet ingredients!
Add*
These turned out pretty good. My first keto baked goods recipe. I would suggest letting them set over night in order to dry them out. Straight out of the oven they were way too gooey for me. I also cooked them longer than directed.
Thanks for giving them a try Annalisa! That is very true, when they are warm and “fresh” they are super fudgey. The next day the are much more firm. You can also really squeeze your cherries/pat dry to get rid of even more moisture if you make them again!! ❤
I will make them again for sure. I was thinking of making cake pops out of them! Next up I will be making one of your pumpkin recipes! Just have to decide which one!
Such a good idea!! And I highly recommend pumpkin donuts or the pumpkin sheet cake (if you have family to share with)! Happy baking!
I thought cherries were off limits on keto.wow! Definitely gonna try these.
As long as it fits in your daily carb range it’s good!!! Hope you enjoy!!