Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
These brownies with cream cheese frosting are rich, fudgy and full of decadent chocolate flavor. They’re topped with a sweet and easy cream cheese frosting. Grab two bowls and a whisk to make these fancy brownies the next time you need a quick and easy dessert that everyone is sure to love!
Equipment
- 1 8X8 pan
- 1 whisk
- 1 spoon or spatula
Ingredients
Fudgy Brownies
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (6oz, 140 g) chocolate chips
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs (US), room temperature
- ¼ cup (20 g) cocoa powder Dutch proessed recommended
- 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (90 g) all purpose flour
Cream Cheese Frosting for Brownies
- 4 oz. (113 g) cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 tbsp (57 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1-2 tsp (5-10 ml) milk, as needed
- 1½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper along the bottom and two sides.
- Add the unsalted butter and semi sweet chocolate chips to a heat safe bowl. Heat the butter and chocolate until fully melted and well combined. This can be done as a “bain marie” or in the microwave. If using the microwave, heat the mixture 30 seconds at a time, stirring between heating intervals until fully melted and combined.
- Mix in the granulated and brown sugars until well combined. Whisk the espresso powder, salt and eggs until smooth and fully combined.
- Mix in the cocoa powder into the chocolate brownie mixture. Stir well to fully combine. Mix in the flour. Stir well until just combined.
- Evenly pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan. Bake the brownies for about 25 -30 minutes. Cool the brownies in the pan for 30 minutes. Remove the brownies from the pan to cool completely before frosting with the cream cheese icing.
- Make the cream cheese frosting for brownies by beating the butter and cream cheese together until fluffy and well combined. Pour in the vanilla extract, powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon milk. Beat the cream cheese frosting until smooth and well combined.
- Spread the cream cheese icing on top of the fully cooled brownies. If the frosting is too warm or soft, place the frosted brownies in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
To store the brownies without cream cheese frosting: Once the brownies have cooled completely to room temperature, place them in an airtight container for up to 3 - 4 days.
To store the brownies with cream cheese frosting: Once the brownies have cream cheese frosting, they need to be stored in the fridge. Slice the brownies to your desired number of pieces. Place them in a single layer to chill in the fridge until the frosting is set. Then transfer them to an airtight storage container for longer storage. Separate the layers with wax or parchment paper.
Chocolate Glaze Brownies: Melt ½ cup (3 oz, 70 g) chocolate chips with 6 tablespoon (85 g) butter until smooth and well combined. Spread across the cooled brownies and allow the glaze to set before cutting.
Red Velvet Brownie Recipe: Mix in 1 tablespoon (30 ml) red food coloring with the wet ingredients. Mix in the dry ingredients. If needed, add a drop or two more red food coloring to reach your desired shade of red. Follow the rest of the recipe as written. If you’re opting to make this brownie recipe as a red velvet brownies, use unsweetened cocoa powder instead of Dutch process for truly vibrant red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Turn the cream cheese frosting for brownies into chocolate cream cheese frosting by mixing in ¼ cup (20 g) cocoa powder after beating the butter and cream cheese together. Once the cocoa powder is mixed in, follow the cream cheese frosting recipe as written.
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