As I posted on the buzzyfoods facebook page (come on over and ‘like us, really like us!’) when I first shared this image:
Frosting? We don’t need no stinkin’ frosting!
And it’s true. These brownies are so rich and creamy and moist and all-around loaded with the flavors of chocolate and orange and strong, dark coffee that they really don’t need frosting, or any other embellishment, for that matter. Just mebbe an ice- cold glass of milk.
INGREDIENTS
Brownie Layer:
•1/2 cup butter
•1/2 cup cocoa
•1 cup sugar
•2 eggs
•1/2 tsp orange flavoring
•Zest of one orange
•1/4 tsp instant espresso
•1/2 cup flour
Cream Cheese Layer:
•6 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
•4 tbsp butter at room temperature
•1/2 cup sugar
•2 eggs
•2 tbsp flour
•2 tsp orange flavoring
•1 tsp vanilla
Heat the oven to 350º and apply cooking spray to an 8×8 inch baking pan.
Melt the half cup of butter, then stir in the cocoa until well blended.
Add the sugar and stir again until you have a dark, grainy mixture.
Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well.
Add the orange flavoring, the zest, and the flour, and stir until you have a smooth batter.
Turn the batter into the prepared baking pan, but save the mixing bowl.
Tumble the softened cream cheese and butter into the mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy.
Add the sugar and eggs and continue beating until creamy, then beat in the flour and the flavorings.
Pour the cream cheese mixture on top of the brownie mixture, then swirl with the blade of a knife until nicely marbled.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool on a rack, then slice and serve as you will. I cut these into kinda small squares, just because they are so rich and dense and creamy and moist.
Like I said; who needs frosting – or a mix, for that matter?