After they cool, I often dip the tops into melted chocolate for an extra layer of decadence. I microwave the chocolate chips with a splash of oil, stir until smooth, then dip each bomb halfway. I set them on parchment again to let the chocolate firm up. This step isn’t required, but I’ve tested it both ways, and the dipped version always disappears first at parties. Plus, it seals in moisture and makes the bombs extra rich. Once everything is cooled and set, they’re ready to serve—or devour.
Pro Tips for Best Results
One thing I discovered after making these multiple times is that the brownies bake best when the cherries are truly dry. I know I’m repeating myself, but it matters so much that it’s worth saying again. I once rushed this step and ended up with half of the brownie bombs cracking open in the oven because the batter wouldn’t adhere properly. So be patient—it’s worth the extra minute of drying. Another trick I swear by is refrigerating the cherries for 10 minutes before wrapping them. Cold cherries help the batter firm around them more easily.
I also tested baking them on foil, on bare pans, and on silicone mats, and parchment paper gave by far the most consistent results. The parchment prevents sticking and helps the bottoms brown evenly without burning. Another tip is to avoid overfilling the brownie batter around the cherries. It’s easy to get carried away, but too much batter makes them spread too far and lose their signature “bomb” shape. Keep the layer of batter thin enough to stay compact while still fully covering the cherry.
When melting chocolate for dipping, I’ve learned not to rush the process. Microwave the chocolate in short intervals—usually 20 seconds at a time—and stir thoroughly between each burst. If you overheat it, the chocolate becomes thick and grainy, and no amount of oil will fully save it. Slow and steady gives you smooth, glossy dipping chocolate. Lastly, don’t stack the bombs before the chocolate sets. I made that mistake once and ended up with a whole tray of stuck-together brownie clusters.(See the next page below to continue…)