Dark Chocolate Cherry Chews Food

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY CHEWIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat butter and 1 cup of the chocolate chips over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Remove from heat; stir in sugar. Pour into large bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time until blended. Beat in vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips and the cherries. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Shape dough into 60 (about 1 1/4-inch) balls. Lightly butter hands if dough is sticky when shaping into balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets; flatten each ball to 1 1/2-inch circle.
• Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are set. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds, stirring halfway through, until chips can be stirred smooth. Spoon into resealable food-storage plastic bag; partially seal bag. Cut small tip from corner of bag; drizzle chocolate over tops of cookies. Let stand about 2 hours or until chocolate is set. Store covered in airtight container.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY CHEWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, soda, and salt; set aside.
• Using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars.
• Add eggs, once at a time, blending well after each addition.
• Blend in vanilla and almond extracts.
• Blend in flour mixture, a little at a time, until it's all incorporated.
• By hand, stir in cherries and chocolate pieces.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced at least two inches apart.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-13 minutes or until edges are starting to brown.
• Let cool on baking sheet for ten minutes then move to wire racks to cool completely.

DARK CHOCOLATE & CHERRY BAR

Steps:

• Line a 20cm square baking tin with a strip of baking parchment - leave an overhang as this will help lift everything out of the tin later. Scatter the amaretti biscuits over the base of the tin and set aside.
• Tip the chocolate into a heatproof bowl and pour the cream into a saucepan. Bring the cream to the boil, then pour it over the chocolate and stir until completely melted. Pour the mixture over the biscuits, then tap the tin to even out. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hrs (or up to 2 days ahead).
• While the chocolate is setting, drain the cherries over a small saucepan and set them aside. Simmer the juice from the tin for about 5 mins or until syrupy. This can be done a day ahead and both can be kept in the fridge.
• To serve, use the parchment handles to lift everything out of the tin on to a board and, using a sharp knife dipped in hot water, cut into six neat bars. Using a pastry brush, paint a thick stripe of the kirsch syrup across each plate, then sit a chocolate bar across the stripe at an opposing angle. Top each bar with a line of cherries and serve with extra syrup on the side.