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Fudgy Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Brownies

4.5

(23)

Squares of fudgy glutenfree cream cheese brownies.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Everyone’s favorite bake sale treat goes gluten-free without any hard-to-find ingredients or alternative flours, just cornstarch and cocoa powder. Instant coffee or espresso powder deepens the chocolate flavor of this ultra-fudgy brownie.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 hour, plus cooling

  • Yield

    Makes 16 bars

Ingredients

For the cream cheese swirl:

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the brownies:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for pan
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon instant coffee or espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
9 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, room temperature

Special Equipment

An 8x8x2" baking pan

Preparation

  1. Make the cream cheese swirl:

    Step 1

    Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.

  2. Make the brownies:

    Step 2

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter baking pan and line with 2 overlapping layers of parchment, leaving a 2" overhang on all sides. Butter parchment.

    Step 3

    Whisk cornstarch, cocoa powder, coffee, and salt in a small bowl.

    Step 4

    Combine chocolate and 6 Tbsp. butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally, until butter and chocolate are melted and smooth. Remove from heat, then stir in sugar and vanilla. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, then whisk in cornstarch mixture until smooth, about 1 minute.

    Step 5

    Transfer batter to prepared pan. Dollop cream cheese mixture over batter, then swirl into batter with a knife or spatula.

    Step 6

    Bake brownies until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool completely. Using parchment overhang, transfer brownies to a cutting board. Cut into 4 pieces lengthwise, then 4 pieces crosswise to make 16 bars.

  3. Do Ahead

    Step 7

    Brownies can be made 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

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