CAMOUFLAGE CHOCOLATE FUDGE BROWNIES

Camouflage Chocolate Fudge Brownies image

The secret to the fudgiest, most chocolaty brownies is cocoa powder-not melted chocolate. We borrowed chocolate expert Alice Medrich's technique, then added a cream cheese topping for tangy balance. Don't stress about your camo design; the brownies will look even better when sliced.

Provided by Sarah Jampel

Categories Bon Appétit Dessert Brownie Chocolate Cream Cheese Egg Vegetarian Soy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Kid-Friendly

Yield Makes 16

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking oil spray or room-temperature unsalted butter (for pan)
8 oz. cream cheese (not low-fat), cut into (1") pieces
3 large eggs, chilled
1⅓ cups (266 g) sugar, divided
1 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided
1½ tsp. plus ¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-process
10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 tsp. instant espresso powder (optional)
½ cup (63 g) all-purpose flour

Steps:

Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 325°F. Lightly coat a 9x9" pan, preferably metal, with nonstick spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on all sides. Lightly coat parchment with nonstick spray. Place cream cheese in a medium heatproof bowl set over a medium saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water). Heat cream cheese, stirring occasionally, until very soft, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from heat (leave water simmering). Using a heatproof rubber spatula or wooden spoon, smash and mix cream cheese until smooth. Add 1 egg, ⅓ cup (66 g) sugar, ½ tsp. vanilla, and ¼ tsp. salt and whisk until very smooth. Transfer about half of cream cheese mixture to a small bowl and whisk in 1½ tsp. cocoa powder.
Place butter in another medium heatproof bowl. Add espresso powder (if using) and remaining 1 cup (200 g) sugar, ¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder, and ½ tsp. salt. Place bowl over saucepan of still simmering water and cook, stirring occasionally once the butter starts to melt, until mixture is homogeneous and too hot to leave your finger in, 7-9 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
Add remaining 2 eggs and remaining ½ tsp. vanilla to butter mixture one at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition until smooth and glossy. Add flour and mix with spatula or spoon until no longer visible, then vigorously mix another 30 strokes. Scoop out ½ cup brownie batter and set aside. Scrape remaining batter into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
Working quickly, alternate dollops of cocoa-cream cheese mixture and cream cheese mixture over batter. Dollop reserved batter on top (it will be quite thick). Don't worry if your design looks random and spotted.
Bake brownies until center is set and no longer looks wet, 22-25 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool. Using parchment paper overhang, lift brownies out of pan and transfer to a cutting board. Remove parchment paper and cut into sixteen 2¼" squares, wiping knife clean between slices.