Goat Cheese Brownie

This luxurious dessert is both elegant enough for a special holiday and easy to make. Goat cheese adds a layer of complexity to the brownies, which are topped with macerated cherries and powdered sugar for a festive presentation.

Ingredients FOR BROWNIE:

1 pouch Cup4Cup Chocolate Brownie Mix
2 large eggs
¼ cup melted butter or coconut oil
2 tablespoons water
½ cup fresh goat cheese

Ingredients FOR MACERATED CHERRIES:

2 cups cherries, pitted
¼ cup red wine
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons sugar
Optional: 1 teaspoon arrowroot

Instructions FOR BROWNIE:

Preheat oven to 350

Lightly butter an 8×8 pan

Whisk eggs, water and goat cheese together until smooth.

Slowly whisk melted butter or oil into egg and cheese mixture. Oil should be warm enough to melt, but not hot.

Add the Cup4Cup brownie mix and stir until fully incorporated.

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before cutting.

FOR MACERATED CHERRIES:

Add cherries, water, wine and sugar to a saucepan and bring to a strong simmer for 3 minutes.

Reduce heat and cook gently for an additional 3 minutes.

Strain off cherries from the liquid and reserve.

Return liquid to the saucepan, add lemon juice and reduce by half or until it begins to thicken.

Note: For a thicker (or faster) sauce, combine the arrowroot and lemon juice and add to the liquid. continue to cook gently until slightly thickened and glossy.

Add cooked cherries and lemon zest and remove from heat.

Add a spoonful of cherries over a plated brownie just prior to serving.

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