Equipment Needed
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls and spatula
- Toothpicks
- Heatproof bowl for melting (or double boiler)
- Baking sheet
- Wax paper or a fresh sheet of parchment
Step-by-Step Instructions
Our journey starts with the brownie base. I prepare the brownie mix exactly as directed on the box for fudgy brownies (usually this means slightly underbaking them). I line my 9×13 pan with parchment paper for easy removal. As the brownies bake, that incredible chocolate scent fills the kitchen. The key here is to bake them just until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs, not clean. An overbaked brownie will be too dry and crumbly to form into balls. I let the brownies cool completely in the pan—this is patience-testing but essential. A warm brownie will fall apart when you try to handle it.
Once the brownies are completely cool, I use my hands to crumble the entire batch into a large mixing bowl. You want fine, even crumbs, almost like moist sand. I find using my fingers works best to break up any larger pieces. Now, here’s a fun, slightly messy part: take a maraschino cherry and pat it completely dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial. If the cherry is wet, it will seep moisture into the brownie and make the ball soggy, and the coating won’t stick properly. I learned this the hard way with a batch of weepy, messy bombs.
Take about a tablespoon of the brownie crumbles and flatten it in your palm. Place a dried cherry in the center, stem pointing up. Gently fold the brownie around the cherry, pressing and rolling it in your hands to form a smooth, compact ball with the cherry stem sticking out like a little handle. If the brownie mixture isn’t sticking together, you can add a tiny dab of frosting or a teaspoon of cherry juice to act as glue, but be very sparing—too much liquid will cause problems later. Place each formed ball on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once they’re all rolled, I pop the tray into the freezer for 15-20 minutes. This firms them up and makes the dipping process infinitely easier. (See the next page below to continue…)