Chocolate Cherry Merlot Brownies

Total Time: 53 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 33 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 6 ounces pkg. dried sweet cherries (1 1/4 cups, chopped)
• 1/2 cup merlot
• 8 ounces dark chocolate, baking bar (53% cacao, broken into small sections)
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350º f.
• 2 grease 9-inch-square baking pan.
• 3 microwave dried cherries and merlot wine in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on high (100%) power for 1 minute.
• 4 set aside for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 5 drain cherries; discard wine.
• 6 microwave chocolate in small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on high (100%) power for 1 minute; stir.
• 7 sections may retain some of their original shape.
• 8 if necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until smooth; cool to room temperature.
• 9 combine flour and salt in small bowl.
• 10 beat sugar and butter in medium mixer bowl until well mixed.
• 11 add eggs and beat until light and fluffy. beat in melted chocolate and vanilla extract.
• 12 stir in flour mixture until blended.
• 13 stir in drained cherries.
• 14 spread into prepared pan.
• 15 bake for 33 to 37 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky.
• 16 cool completely in pan on wire rack.
• 17 cut into bars.
• 18 note: sweetened dried cranberries can be substituted for the dried cherries.