Cherry Chocolate Chip Brownies

So I've been on this cherry kick recently, and I've been experimenting with brownies too.  I figured this to mean that it would be a great idea to put some cherries with my chocolate and get down to serious business.  I made some chocolate cherry cookies recently, but they didn't work out as I anticipated so I had to rework the chocolate cherry plan.  I threw these brownies together, and it was sketchy for a while, but they came together in the end and are crazy delicious.  I'd forgotten how much I love cherries and chocolate!  The brownies are a copycat box mix recipe, and I adapted the frosting from these delicious Mint Oreo Brownies (which I should probably make again soon!).  The brownies are super dark and dense and fudgy which is perfect for the sweet cherry topping.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Brownies

Brownies:
3/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup dark cocoa powder (you can substitute regular cocoa powder)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Cherry Chocolate Chip Frosting:
1/4 cup (48g) shortening
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream
3/4 cups white chocolate chips, melted and cooled slightly
1 10-ounce jar maraschino cherries, drained and cut in quarters (reserve the juice for another use)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Lightly spray an 8x11 inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, stir together the oil, sugar, and vanilla.  Stir in the eggs until completely incorporated.  Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and stir until just blended.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.  Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.  Remove brownies from the oven and let cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting, in a large bowl, beat together the shortening, butter, and vanilla until light and fluffy.  Slowly beat in the powdered sugar until combined.  Add the cherry juice and beat until smooth.  Beat in the marshmallow cream, followed by the melted and cooled white chocolate.  Stir in the cherrries and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.  Spread the frosting evenly on top of the cooled brownies. Makes 15 brownies.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy