Cherry Cordial Brownies

Brownies are definitely my go-to dessert. They're easy. There are a million ways to dress them up. They're crowd-pleasing. What's not to like? Here I took one of my stand-by recipes for creme de menthe brownies and switched out the liqueur for chopped maraschino cherries. The resulting brownies taste deliciously akin to chocolate covered cherries. In this first test batch, the cherry layers were a bit runny (though still good), but that's probably because I got cocky and tried adding extra cherry juice to the mixture.

Cherry Cordial Brownies

Ingredients:

• One batch of your favorite brownie recipe, baked in 9x13" pan and cooled. (My favorite is usually courtesy of the fine folks at Ghiardelli. wink wink nudge nudge. )
• 1/4 c. butter, softened
• 2 c. confectioners sugar, sifted
  
• 1 16 oz. jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
• 1/4 c. butter (yes, more)
• 6 oz (half a package) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Cream 1/4 c. softened butter, gradually add confectioners sugar. Once smooth, add cherries and stir to combine.
  
• Spread cherry mixture over brownies. Chill1 hr.
  
• Melt remaining butter and chocolate chips in double boiler, stirring often. Pour melted chocolate over cherry layer, smoothing with rubber spatula. Chill 1 hr.
  
• Cut in smallish squares (these babies are sweeeet) and enjoy!