Recipe: Cherry-Nut Butterless Brownies (using olive oil and dried cherries)

CHERRY-NUT BUTTERLESS BROWNIES

1/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil or other olive oil, divided use
2 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, cut up
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup chopped dried cherries
1/8 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil the bottom of an 8-inch baking pan with olive oil; set aside.

Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil and chocolate in a medium saucepan. Melt chocolate over very low heat, stirring constantly. Blend in remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil. Remove from heat.

Add sugar; stir until blended and sugar is partially dissolved. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour, nuts, cherries and salt. Mix well. Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake 18 to 21 minutes, or just until the center appears set. Remove from the oven and cool before cutting.

Makes 16 servings
Source: North American Olive Oil Association