How to Make Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
There’s something magical about brownies with cream cheese frosting. That first bite, where the fudgy, chocolatey richness meets the smooth, slightly tangy frosting, is pure dessert bliss.
Servings: 12 Squars
Calories: 310kcal
Ingredients
For the Fudgy Brownies:
- 1 cup 225g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ¾ cups 350g granulated sugar
- ¾ cup 150g brown sugar
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup 120g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup 125g all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup 175g semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz 225g cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup 115g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups 240g powdered sugar, sifted (adjust for sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (balances the sweetness perfectly
Instructions
- Melt the butter until it’s smooth and liquid, either on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Once it’s melted, whisk in both sugars. You’ll notice the mixture becoming glossy and thicker, which is exactly what you want for that beautiful crackly top.
- Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. This step is key to achieving the rich, fudgy texture you love in brownies.
- Add a dash of vanilla to enhance the chocolate flavor and give it a deeper, richer taste.
- Combine the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt by sifting them together.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula, avoid overmixing, as this will help keep your brownies fudgy instead of cakey.
- For extra indulgence, stir in chocolate chips. They’ll melt into the brownies and create gooey pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- Fire up your oven to 350°F (175°C) and cozy up a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) pan with parchment paper, it’s almost brownie time!
- Pour the brownie batter in, spread it out evenly, and pop it in the oven.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, just until the edges look set and the center still has a bit of softness.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before frosting.
- Whisk the softened cream cheese and butter together until completely smooth.
- Slowly add in the powdered sugar, then vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Once the brownies are cooled, generously spread the frosting over them and cut into squares.
- Each bite will be a heavenly mix of fudgy chocolate brownie and creamy, tangy frosting!
Notes
- Opt for a high-quality cocoa powder. It will enhance the flavor and give your brownies a rich, deep chocolate taste that really stands out.
- Be patient and let the brownies cool completely before adding the frosting. If you frost them too soon, the cream cheese topping might melt right off.
- Lastly, if your frosting feels too thick, just add a splash of milk or cream to thin it out a bit, making it easier to spread evenly.