Cherry Marzipan Brownies

These brownies are rich with cherry, almond and chocolate -- a dessert worthy to be served with a cup of Viennese café.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped dried tart cherries
2 tablespoons cherry liqueur
9 (1-ounce) squares semisweet baking chocolate
7 ounces marzipan (almond paste)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking dish; set aside.
3. Heat cherries and liqueur in a small saucepan over medium heat almost to a boil. Remove from heat and cover. Set aside.
4. In the top of a double boiler, melt chocolate over simmering water; set aside to cool.
5. In a large bowl, blend marzipan, butter and sugar; beat until smooth. Mix in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla and stir until blended. Add flour and salt and beat until well mixed. Stir in melted chocolate to combine. Add cherry mixture and beat until thoroughly combined.
6. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Bake 25 minutes or until the center is set. Cool completely on wire rack before cutting.

Makes 24 brownies.