Marble Brownies

I love to bake! Generally, when I bake, I tend to stick to simple recipes that are easy to follow - i.e. quickbreads (muffins, zucchini/banana loaves, etc.), but one of the easiest, simplest recipes to make is a fresh batch of brownies. This recipe has nothing to do with the Whole30, Paleo or healthy eating at all, but these brownies sure are delicious and satisfying.

We used cake flour instead of all-purpose for a fluffier, less dense brownie and we also added in a rich cream cheese filling to marble into the top layer. Good luck keeping these in your kitchen, they are so tasty they will not last long!

Marble Brownies

Yields: 24 

Ingredients:

8 T unsalted butter

12oz semi sweet baking chocolate, chopped

2 1/4 t vanilla extract

3/4 t almond extract *optional

1 1/4 + 1 T cake flour

1/4 C cocoa powder

1 1/2 t baking powder

1 1/4 t salt

7 eggs

2 1/4 C sugar

4oz cream cheese, at room temperature

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line a 9x13" baking dish with greased parchment paper, set aside.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate, set aside.

In a small bowl, sift together 1 1/4 C cake flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; set dry ingredients aside. In a large bowl, whisk together 6 eggs and 2 C sugar until dissolved and frothy. Stir in melted chocolate and fold in flour mixture. Pour batter into prepared dish; spreading evenly.

With a hand mixer on medium speed, beat remaining sugar and cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth and fluffy. Add remaining vanilla, almond extract, flour, and egg; beat until smooth. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chocolate batter and swirl together with a toothpick. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean (approximately 35-40 minutes). Let cool on a wire rack, cut and serve.

*Not everyone is a fan of almond flavor, it is optional and if you choose to use it, keep in mind that it can easily overpower the flavors in a recipe - use a little bit at a time.

*To improve the chocolate flavor, try using a combination of dark and semi-sweet chocolate, or add finely ground or brewed coffee to deepen the richness of this brownie.

Enjoy and Buon Appetito!