Mango Cake

Cherry Bliss Topping Ingredients

• 3 cups of cherries, either fresh or frozen (If using frozen, do not thaw)
• 3 tbsp of kirsch
• 1/2 cup of caster sugar
• 1/2 tsp of almond flavoring
• 1.5 tbsp of cornstarch
• 3 tbsp of chilled water

Indulgent Brownie Mix

• 3/4 cup of butter, melted and salted
• 2 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate bits
• 2 ounces of milk chocolate bits
• 1.5 cups of caster sugar
• 1/2 cup of dark brown sugar, tightly packed
• 4 big eggs
• 1.5 tsp of vanilla flavoring
• 1 cup of flour (equivalent to 130 grams)
• 2/3 cup of cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp of regular salt
• A smidgeon of espresso granules (see side note)
• 4-6 ounces of optional chocolate pieces

For Garnishing

• Cherry Bliss topping
• Whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream

Crafting the Cherry Bliss Topping

1. In a separate dish, blend the cornstarch with cold water until it’s lump-free.
2. Grab a mid-sized pot. Into it, pour the cherries, kirsch, caster sugar, almond flavoring, and the pre-made cornstarch solution.
3. Set the stove to a medium-high setting. Continuously stir until a slight boil forms, roughly in 3 minutes.
4. Turn down the flame to medium and let it bubble for another 2 minutes or until the consistency is thick enough to coat a spoon’s back.
5. Cease heating and lightly crush the cherries using a masher.
6. Warm it once more on a low setting for about a minute, ensuring occasional stirring.
7. Transfer the concoction into a dish and let it chill in the fridge.

Creating the Indulgent Brownies

1. Set your oven to warm up to 350°F. Ready a 9×9 baking tray with a light spread of grease and overlay it with parchment.
2. In a sizable microwave-friendly bowl, melt together the butter and both chocolates. Do this in short 30-second bursts, mixing in between until uniformly molten.
3. Integrate both the sugars and blend well.
4. Mix in the eggs and vanilla, beating it strongly for around 2 minutes.
5. Gradually fold in the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and espresso granules, achieving a silky batter consistency. If desired, integrate the optional chocolate pieces at this point.
6. Pour out half of this brownie concoction into the tray.
7. Drizzle 1/2 cup of the refrigerated Cherry Bliss topping and create an artistic swirl using a knife.
8. Overlay with the remaining brownie mix and repeat the drizzle and swirl with the cherry topping.
9. Allow it to bake for 50-60 minutes, ensuring the periphery is solidified and the center is just right. A toothpick inserted should bring out a thick, gooey texture, not dry particles.

Presenting Your Gourmet Brownie

1. Allow the baked brownie to rest and cool for 30 minutes to an hour for the best slicing result.
2. Add a serving with whipped cream and a drizzle of Cherry Bliss topping.
3. As an option, each brownie slice can be garnished with a cherry on top.
4. Preserve leftover brownie slices in a sealed container in the fridge for a maximum of a week.
5. For those prepping early, the brownies can be baked, left to cool, then covered. They can be stored either at ambient temperature or chilled for as long as 24 hours prior to serving.