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.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
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.
Step 2
2
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.
Step 3
3
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.
Step 4
4
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.
Step 5
5
Arrange brownies on a serving tray and top with coconut flakes.
Step 6
6
*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.
Step 7
7
Make ahead: 3 days, chilled airtight.
Ingredients
3/4 cup dried sour cherries
3/4 cup orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
1/4 cup large unsweetened coconut flakes*
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, divided
3/4 cup unrefined (virgin) coconut oil*
1/2 cup gluten-free flour, such as Cup4Cup or Bob's Red Mill
1/4 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup turbinado sugar (raw cane sugar)
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Step 1
1
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.
Step 2
2
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.
Step 3
3
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.
Step 4
4
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.
Step 5
5
Arrange brownies on a serving tray and top with coconut flakes.
Step 6
6
*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.
Step 7
7
Make ahead: 3 days, chilled airtight.
