Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup sugar (or sugar replacement)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour alternative)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup melted butter or neutral oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup applesauce or Greek yogurt (for moisture)
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup sugar (for cream cheese mixture)
- 1 egg (for cream cheese mixture)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter or oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and applesauce or Greek yogurt until combined.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until barely combined.
- In a separate bowl, prepare the cream cheese mixture by beating cream cheese with sugar and egg until smooth.
- Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the brownie batter and swirl carefully with a knife or skewer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes before slicing for cleaner edges.
Notes
For best results, use room temperature cream cheese and avoid overmixing the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian