Chocolate Cherry Coconut Brownies
Photo: Thomas J. Story
Recipe by Amanda Haas, culinary director of Williams-Sonoma and author of The Anti-Inflammation Cookbook (Chronicle Books, 2016). Although you can use all-purpose wheat flour, gluten-free flour (in combination with coconut oil) makes these brownies more tender and luscious. Let chill overnight for a firmer, easier-to-cut brownie.
This recipe, and others like it, can be found in the article “Make These Recipes in August to Celebrate the End of Summer.”
How to Make It
Preheat oven to 350°. Oil a 9- by 9-in. baking pan and line bottom with a sheet of parchment paper large enough to come up 2 opposite ends of pan and hang over sides. Put cherries in a small bowl and pour in liqueur. Let soak 30 minutes. Meanwhile, toast coconut on a rimmed baking sheet until golden, 3 to 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt 3/4 cup chocolate chips with the coconut oil, heating in 20-second bursts and then stirring, until chocolate is 3/4 melted. Stir until melted, then cool slightly.
Whisk flour, cocoa powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla to melted chocolate and whisk to mix. Whisk in flour mixture. Drain cherries (save liqueur for cocktails). Stir cherries and remaining 3/4 cup chocolate chips into batter.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let brownies cool (or chill), then lift out using parchment paper and cut into 1 1/2-in. squares.
Arrange brownies on a serving tray and top with coconut flakes.
*Virgin coconut oil is cold-pressed, isn't hydrogenated, and has a clean, sweet taste. Find it, along with coconut flakes, at well-stocked grocery stores.
Make ahead: 3 days, chilled airtight.