Cream Cheese Brownies
Craving a decadent treat that combines the richness of chocolate with the creaminess of cream cheese? Look no further than these irresistible Cream Cheese Brownies! Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and impressing your loved ones with your baking prowess.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the sugar and cocoa powder until well combined. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla extract. Slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, stirring constantly.
- Add the flour and salt to the batter, mixing until just combined. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top of the brownie batter, then swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool before slicing into squares.
Popular questions:
- Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
- Can I substitute cocoa powder with melted chocolate?
- Can I use low-fat cream cheese instead of full-fat cream cheese?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but you may want to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to compensate for the salt in the butter.
Yes, you can substitute cocoa powder with an equal amount of melted chocolate, but make sure to adjust the sugar in the recipe accordingly.
Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese, but the texture and flavor of the cream cheese layer may be slightly different.
Helpful tips:
- For an extra indulgent treat, sprinkle some chocolate chips or nuts on top of the cream cheese layer before baking.
- For a gluten-free version, use almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.
- To enhance the chocolate flavor, add a tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the batter.
Expert Secrets:
- Make sure to not overmix the batter to keep the brownies tender and fudgy.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.